Symposium

Abstract

Opioids are one of the most common illicit substances used globally as well as in India. Opioid Agonist Maintenance Treatment (OAMT) is the most evidence-based long-term treatment for patients with opioid dependence syndrome. Buprenorphine is the most commonly used opioid medication for OAMT in India, while methadone and slow-release oral morphine are used less commonly. Buprenorphine was introduced in India around three decades back, and since then, many Indian studies have confirmed its effectiveness as OAMT in the Indian opioid-using population. The significant expansion of OAMT in India occurred when it became a part of the National AIDS Control Programme as an HIV prevention strategy. Since then, there has been a gradual expansion of OAMT under the National AIDS Control Programme. However, the provision of OAMT under this programme is limited to only people who inject drugs (PWID), thus leaving out the majority of opioid users in India. The Drug De-addiction Programme (currently renamed as National Program for Tobacco Control and Drug Addiction Treatment) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) provides OAMT through its Drug Treatment Clinics (DTCs) in government hospitals across the country. The number of such DTCs is limited. More recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) has approved a scheme of Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) under which OAMT shall be available in Government hospitals at district level. The symposium will cover many of these issues and challenges. Presenter 1 will give a background of OAMT and will focus on its effectiveness in the Indian population. Presenter 2 will talk about the history and current status of OAMT under the National AIDS Control Organization. Presenter 3 will cover the history and current status of OAMT under MoHFW and MSJE. Presenter 4 will discuss the significant changes in the OAMT programs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact. Presenter 5 will discuss the major issues faced during the expansion of OAMT in India during the last three decades and the future directions in the various Indian settings.