Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Unit (ADAPT)

Alcohol is, by far, the most common form of substance abuse in both urban and rural India. With progressive urbanization and migration the drug abuse is emerging as growing health and social problem in the community. Our programs are aimed towards prevention of drug and alcohol abuse in the community with special focus to adolescents, migrant and hard to reach populations. It also creates awareness for rational prescription of medicinal drugs and judicious self medication of OTC medicines.

Undergoing Project

Principal Investigators: Dr Sanghamitra Pati, Dr Soumyakanta Das

Coordinators: Dr Sandipana Pati, Ms Nivedita Das, Dr Tapaswini Das, Dr Jayanti Mishra

Integration of Substance Abuse prevention Education into Primary care

Facilitating Rational Drug Prescription and Use

Projects Completed

Evidence-based program for youth solvent abuse prevention using the “Intervention Mapping” protocol: A pilot project

This project is first of its kind to be taken up in the state which used intervention mapping protocol for designing relevant youth drug abuse prevention programs. The project was also selected by YSAC, Canada for presentation in their international conference in Alberta, March.

"HOPE" : Study of challenges and constraints of drug rehabilitation centers

This study “HOPE” explores the practical problems faced by the rehabilitation personnel working in different de-addiction centers in implementing their programs. In depth interviews with various key persons and stakeholders unraveled their sincere views, attitude and opinion concerning drug abuse prevention and treatment in Indian set up. Stronger and positive government cooperation was perceived by majority as a crucial element for enabling successful rehabilitation of drug addicts. This study is intended to provide useful insights to the stakeholders regarding future actions for effective implementation of drug rehabilitation programs.

Vulnerability Reduction in Alcohol for “Hard to reach” populations

Unsafe sexual behavior is augmented by alcohol use particularly among vulnerable populations like migrant laborers, sex workers, homeless and street people. In India, the mutually reinforcement of alcohol addiction and risky sex is most evident among the street and homeless people. Although in our community alcohol abuse contributes to large proportion of heterosexual transmission of HIV, it has not been addressed so far. A harm reduction approach that focuses on problems directly associated with HIV infection (unsafe sex) while drinking would be more effective. A pilot project was initiated in 2004 that aimed at safe behavior promotion among alcoholics based on psychosocial interventions. The goal of the harm reduction program was to reduce the negative consequences of alcohol abuse related to unsafe sexual behavior and simultaneously limit the spread of HIV/AIDS through heterosexual transmission