Programs

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Centre to de-addict and rehabilitate people under Drug impact Treatment cum Rehabilitation Programme

Recognising Substance Abuse and Alcoholism as a psycho-socio medical problem, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India has taken an initiative to initiate centers to de-addict and rehabilitate people who are under the influence of drug abuse and the approach for the same 1is envisaged to provide whole range of services including awareness generation, identification, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts through the Voluntary Organizations. With a view to reducing the demand for the consumption of alcohol and dependence producing substances, the thrust will be on preventive education programmes and on reintegration of the addicts into the mainstream of the society. While the Govt. of India would provide financial support to the organizations for institutionalized activities, stress would be on mobilization of community resources and greater community participation. The services provided at the center is – preventive education and awareness generation, Screening and Motivational Counseling, Detoxification and whole person recovery(WPR), Care and Support to families and drug users, Referral Services, After care and follow-up and rehabilitation support.

Regional Resource and Training Centre North Zone – II

Gunjan Organisation for Community Development has been designated as RConferenceRoom2RTC North II for the States of H.P, J&K, and Chandigarh funded by MSJE, Government of India, states since 2010. RRTC conduct trainings for more than 120 Drug De-addiction Centers working in private set up or receiving Grant in Aid under the Scheme of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. RRTC is responsible to ensure training of service providers, Documentation of programmes/results, Advocacy, research and monitoring, technical support to NGOs, CBOs and Enterprises, strengthening the rehabilitation of the addicts, planning and taking the workers of IRCA for exposure visits, IRCA workers exchange programmes etc.

Primary Prevention Programs

Tele-counselling on drugs related issues

Tele-counselling is potentially free of certain constraining factors that affect traditional therapy, including geography, time, duration, and cost, making this form of counselling more accessible for a number of people who would be unable to attend traditional psychotherapy. It also provides a degree of anonymity that is comforting to some callers, reducing the intimidation that some people may feel at the prospect of seeking treatment with a traditional in-person therapist and encouraging disclosure. Also research shows telephone counselling to have better results among patients with depression. Organisation has established tele-counselling services with the support of public resources and own contributions. In the financial year 2014 – 15 totals 2017 people were given information and counselling, out of which 7% visited to drug de-addiction centre for the treatment. As an innovation senior citizens are managing this centre voluntarily and managing this centre at least for 60% of its time.

Sensitisation Workshops for School Children on drug abuse

The incidence of drug abuse among youth and adolescents is higher in comparison to the rest of the population. This is notably because youth is a time for experimentation and identity forming. Drug abuse among youth is generally associated with particular youth subcultures and lifestyles. It is revealed that 63.6 % of patients coming in for treatment were introduced to drugs at a young age below 15 years. According to another report 13.1% of the people involved in drug and substance abuse in India, are below 20 years. Keeping this in mind, organisation has taken initiative by conducting workshops in different schools in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

HIV / AIDS

Community Care Center (CSC) for PLHIV Community

The CSC is established under the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) Vihaan – which means Dawn’s First Light. The programme supports PLHIV, including underserved populations who have had difficulty in accessing treatment, including women, children and High Risk Groups (HRGs – FSWs, MSM, TGs, Hijras and male and female IDUs) in both high and low prevalent states and territories. The specific objectives of Vihaan includes – Early linkages of PLHIV to Care ,Support and treatment services, Improved treatment adherence and education for PLHIV, Expanded positive prevention activities, Improved social protection and wellbeing of PLHIV and Strengthened community systems and reduced stigma and discrimination. People Living with HIV need support to access and adhere to treatment, to strengthen the capacity of families to manage HIV infection, to maximize the value of referrals and linkages to social protection schemes and services, to address instances of stigma and discrimination, and to reinforce positive prevention strategies. The organisation is implementing Care and Support Canters in district Kangra and Hamirpur along with Help Desk at Nalagarh of Solan District of Himachal Pradesh. These canters are working with close coordination of ART Canters and catering services to District Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Kullu and Chamba of the state. Our canters have successfully registered 2116 PLHIVs and link them with various social entitlements and centrally sponsored/ State Government rehabilitation schemes.

Targeted Intervention among Injective Drug Users (TIP-IDU)

Drug use is a major factor in the spread of HIV infection in many settings. Sharing equipment used for injecting drugs transmits HIV, and drug use is linked with unsafe sexual activity that can increase HIV risk. Harm reduction program focus on reducing the transmission of HIV associated with injecting drug use, while not necessarily trying to eliminate drug use itself. HIV prevention programs for injecting drug users (IDUs) focus on decreasing needle use or needle sharing directly the lives of IDUs. This is a comprehensive approach combining structural, biomedical, and behavioral interventions among targeted segment. The program is combination of interventions and strategies as their situation merits, carried out in a manner consistent with human rights obligations i.e. Community-based outreach, Needle Serving Exchange Program(NSP), HIV counseling and testing, Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for IDUs living with HIV, Prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Condom programs for IDUs and their sexual partners, Targeted information, education, and communication (IEC) for IDUs and their sexual partners, Vaccination, diagnosis, and treatment of viral hepatitis, Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) etc. Organisation is implementing Targeted Intervention Program for Injecting Drug User in Dharamsala and surrounding areas of the town.

Aware parents to reduce HIV transmission from mother to child

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission also known as prevention of vertical transmission refers to interventions to prevent transmission of HIV from a mother living with HIV to her infant during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or during breastfeeding. Approximately one-third of children born to mothers living with HIV will acquire HIV infection in the absence of preventive measures. Although only 14 percent of children who breastfeed up to 2 years will acquire the infection during breastfeeding, they account for 40 to 64 percent of children infected with the virus. The risk of transmission is particularly high if the mother herself acquires her HIV infection during pregnancy or breastfeeding because viral load tends to be highest during the early stages of infection. Mixed infant feeding in the first six months is also associated with an increased rate of mother-to-child transmission. Under ideal conditions, comprehensive prevention programs can reduce MTCT rates to about 1 to 2 percent. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) given to medically eligible women living with HIV during pregnancy reduces transmission by at least 75 percent. Ensuring that treatment eligible women receive treatment is critical not only to prevent MTCT but to protect women’s own health and survival.

The project approach to a comprehensive prevention of mother-to-child transmission strategy i.e Primary prevention of HIV infection among women of childbearing age, Preventing unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV, Preventing HIV transmission from women living with HIV to their infants and Providing appropriate treatment, care, and support to mothers living with HIV and their children and families.

The services package under the program includes;  Preventive interventions consist of a cascade of services, including HIV testing and counselling; ARV prophylaxis or ART; safe delivery; safer infant feeding and postpartum interventions such as cotrimoxazole prophylaxis; early infant diagnosis for HIV-exposed infants; and links to treatment and care, as well as standard postpartum child survival interventions. To achieve maximum impact of PMTCT, acceptable levels of coverage, access, utilization, and in some cases, adherence must be attained across the entire continuum of care. Organisation is implementing the prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme in district Kangra and Himirpur of Himachal Pradesh. The role of Anganbari workers of appointed under ICDS is also insured in the programme.

Vulnerability Assessment of HIV and AIDS Among Out of School Youth

Targeting out-of-school youth is a key component in any HIV prevention program, given that they are more likely to be sexually active than those enrolled in educational institutions. Once these youth are out of the institutional set up, they get the exposure from the community which might drive them to vulnerability.

Reducing Substance Use Related To HIV Vulnerability in Female Drug Users & Female Partners of Male Drug Users

Substance use and HIV are serious health concerns in India and present significant challenges for the civil society, public health authorities and the national government. Women are hit hard by drug abuse in two main ways. First is when they use drugs themselves. These risks are obvious. However, secondly, even if they do not use themselves but are the wives or partners of drug users who may also be injecting, they face severe problems. When this happens, the burdens that women are forced to bear include financial and emotional difficulties. Children are neglected. Often they themselves are beaten. Their dignity is compromised. Women are often not in a position to negotiate safe sex with their partners and especially under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The health risks associated with substance use adds to their burden. They are often not able to access services for drug treatment as well as for HIV care and support. The Organisation has covered 389 Female Drug Users and the Female Partners of Male Drug Users through this intervention.

Child Protection

CHILD Protection & Child Rights

Child protection as the prevention of or responding to the incidence of abuse, exploitation, violence and neglect of children. This includes commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, child labour and harmful traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation/cutting and child marriage. Protection also allows children to have access to their other rights of survival, development, growth and participation. UNICEF maintains that when child protection fails or is absent children have a higher risk of death, poor physical and mental health, HIV/AIDS infection, educational problems, displacement, homelessness, vagrancy and poor parenting skills later in life. According to the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) Child Protection is about keeping children safe from a risk or perceived risk to their lives or childhood. It is about recognizing that children are vulnerable and hence reducing their vulnerability by protecting them from harm and harmful situations. Child protection is about ensuring that children have a security net to depend on, and if they happen to fall through the holes in the system, the system has the responsibility to provide the child with the necessary care and rehabilitation to bring them back into the safety net. Organisation is implementing Childline activities in partnership with CHILDLINE Foundation of India.

The service can be accessed by calling at 1098 or 01892235315, 9459082624

Bal Umang – Health with Dignity

It’s generally not a lot of fun for anyone to be in a hospital, but it’s especially tough on kids. Though doctors, nurses, family and friends make long stays more bearable, there is still much time where pediatric patients can feel lonely, bored and scared…… During the hospital stays and/or visits, children and their families experience unusual amounts of stress, anxiety and discomfort. Recognising the therapeutic and entertaining nature of the art of storytelling Gunjan has conceptualized storytelling program called Bal Umang at children wards of the Zonal Hospital Dharamsala using our storytelling volunteers as well as storytelling performances by celebrities, artists, sports persons, teachers, writers, journalists and all the faces which are very popular among children. This work has been going through support from community and volunteer contributions.

Ageing

Contribution of Senior Citizens at Activity Center

Activity Centre at Sidhbari Dharamsala provides a welcoming, comfortable and safe environment. The Centre provides the following services:

Last year 135 persons benefitted from this activity. It is proposed to start Day Care Centre and Physio therapy Centre at RRTC complex in the coming year.  This work has been going through support from volunteers.

Ambulance Service

Sanjeevani Ambulance Service is an initiative of Gunjan Organisation rendering its services towards the community and the hospitalized people placed at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, associated with the Rogi Kalyan Samiti and following the norms laid by RKS. This work has been going through support from volunteers and community contributions.

Capacity Building

Centre for Skills Identification & Development

Gunjan has felt that Skill gap is a major constraint facing the youth in mountain state like Himachal Pradesh. With lack of proper skills to earn a livelihood the youth may get diverted to drug abuse. We have been promoting integration of Skill based rehabilitation into treatment processes.  We have conducted regular courses for youth and family members of drug abusers with support from National Institute of Social Defense and also from mobilization of community resources. The Center for Skill development conduct training courses on – Basic on Computers and Tally Accounting, Web designing, Massage Therapy, Acupressure Therapy and Pine Needle Craft Work.

Youth Information Centre

Youth Information Centers (YICs) provide a free, confidential information service to young people and those who work with them on a wide range of subjects including careers, education, employment matters, rights and entitlements, leisure, sport, travel and European opportunities.

Community Development

Empowering Communities

Gunjan Organisation is implementing a community development and capacity building programme in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh since 2003. This is being done in partnership volunteer and local communities. The initiatives on the folk music, promotion of traditional food of Kangra region, working on economic empowerment and skill building among People on High Risk and general communities etc are the major activities.

Skill Identification and Trainings

Gunjan has felt that Skill gap is a major constraint facing the youth in mountain state like Himachal Pradesh. With lack of proper skills to earn a livelihood the youth may get diverted to drug abuse. The Center for Skill development conduct training courses on – Basic on Computers and Tally Accounting, Web designing, Massage Therapy, Acupressure Therapy and Pine Needle Craft Work.

Youth Information Centre

Youth Information Centers (YICs) provide a free, confidential information service to young people and those who work with them on a wide range of subjects including careers, education, employment matters, rights and entitlements, leisure, sport, travel and European opportunities.

Ambulance Service

Sanjeevani Ambulance Service is an initiative of Gunjan Organisation rendering its services towards the community and the hospitalized people placed at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, associated with the Rogi Kalyan Samiti and following the norms laid by RKS. This work has been going through support from volunteers and community contributions.

Research & Development

Gunjan Organisation has tremendous experience and strong hold in planning, coordinating and implementing research projects. Organisation is designated as Regional Resource Training Centre (RRTC) North Zone – II by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJ&E) for NGOs working in the field of substance abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation among the drug dependents. The organisation is providing training and technical support to over 120 NGOs located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Jammu and Kashmir. Gunjan Organisation has its head office at Dharmsala of Himachal Pradesh and the field offices in Kullu, Hamirpur, Solan, Kangra and Mohali of Punjab.

Research

Gunjan Organisation has setup Research unit which provides research services to the development sector. The unit offers support in Research & survey services in the area of social development sector, Data processing services, Strategic consultation in social development sector, Training & capacity building activities, including organise and facilitation of workshops etc.

Networks and Forums

Networking and Advocacy

The primary objective of the organisation is to provide advocacy, networking and capacity building support in deferent forums, in order to promote cooperation and collaboration at the state, regional, national and international levels, in regard to developmental subjects.

 Network of People living with HIV/AIDS

Jindgi Jindabad a network for people living with HIV/AIDS established in the year 2012 facilitated by Gunjan Organisation for Community Development Dharmsala Himachal Pradesh. There are 2786 active members from the PLHIV community across the state. This is a social movement by and for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in enforcing the recognition for Human Rights of PLHIV in India. INP+ has waged a long and intensive struggle against fear, ignorance, prejudice and despair born out of the epidemic and stood to represent courage, insight, acceptance and hope to hundreds and thousands of People Living with HIV/AIDS.  We support PLHIV to form self help groups from the bottom up and foster bonding with intra- and intercommunity groups to gain strength and support. Our members include besides PLHIV, people from diverse orientation and marginalized sections of the society – MSM (Men having Sex with Men), IDU (Injecting Drug Users), Sex workers etc. The membership is open to all Indians living with HIV irrespective of gender, caste, religion etc.

Mission Statement

 

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