In an attempt to addressing the twin challenges of opioid addiction and HIV/AIDS, the Government of Tripura has established 18 Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centres across various Primary and Community Health Centres in the West Tripura district. These centres are designed to provide comprehensive care and support for individuals struggling with opioid dependence, particularly those who inject drugs.
The central inaugural ceremony of the OST centres was held on Saturday at the Nandan Nagar Urban Primary Health Centre, marking the official launch of the initiative. This ambitious state-led effort draws inspiration from the successful Punjab Model of the Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) program, which emphasizes accessible and community-based care for those with opioid use disorders.
Unlike many similar programs in other states, Tripura’s initiative is entirely state-funded. It does not receive financial assistance from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), making it a unique model of self-reliance in public health intervention. The program aims to reduce the harm caused by drug abuse and prevent the spread of HIV, especially among injecting drug users (IDUs), a population particularly vulnerable to blood-borne diseases.
According to officials from the state health department, the program integrates both medical and psychological support, ensuring that patients not only receive essential medications like buprenorphine but also access counselling services to address the mental and emotional aspects of addiction. “What makes this initiative stand out is its holistic approach, combining sustained medical treatment with psychosocial support, and all of it being backed by the state’s own resources,” a senior official stated.
Tripura has been actively tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic since the late 1990s. Specific services targeting IDUs were introduced in 2011. Currently, around 10,500 individuals are registered as injecting drug users across the state. As of January 2025, 5,520 individuals have accessed services through the OST program, with 612 having successfully completed treatment and reintegrated into society.
Awareness and outreach efforts are also an integral part of the initiative. So far, over 15 lakh people have been reached through extensive public awareness campaigns. These efforts include educational outreach in 220 schools and multiple Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities tailored to engage at-risk groups.
The implementation of this initiative is the result of a coordinated effort among the West Tripura district administration, the Zilla Parishad, and the Tripura State AIDS Control Society. Training sessions for healthcare personnel have been successfully conducted, and the OST centres are currently operational, providing crucial services to those in need.
Addressing the media during the inauguration, Biswajit Shil, the acting Zilla Sabhadhipati of the West Tripura Zilla Parishad, emphasized the importance of community involvement in the fight against drug abuse. “Our mission is to help individuals affected by substance abuse return to normal, healthy lives. Achieving this goal requires ongoing awareness and proactive engagement at every level of society,” he said.
