The Road To Eradication: Studying Punjab's Approach Towards Injecting Drug Abuse

The issue of injecting drug usage in Punjab needs a multidimensional strategy to confront the nuances of addiction and public health. This study examines Punjab's strategies for combating injectable drug use, highlighting the effectiveness of Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) and de-addiction initiatives. Punjab faces significant challenges in addressing substance abuse, with around 230,000 individuals addicted to opioids. The government's Standard Operating Procedures for de-addiction centers put limits on things like how long people can take buprenorphine-naloxone home, which makes Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) less effective. The state needs a full plan to deal with the problem of drug use in Punjab. This study concentrates on strategies to combat injecting drug use, including prevention, treatment, and harm reduction. Along with this study, write down the policies and activities that the Punjab government has taken. To look into how Punjab is dealing with those who use injectable drugs, focusing on prevention, treatment, and reducing the harm. This further assesses the impact of these strategies on the prevalence of injecting drug usage in Punjab. The report ultimately provides suggestions and recommendations for improving Punjab's strategy to address injectable drug misuse.