Addiction Management and Integrated Care (AMIC)

Addiction Management and Integrated Care (AMIC), the drugs, tobacco and HIV prevention institution of Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), is a widely acclaimed initiative in Bangladesh.

Since Bangladesh is surrounded at three sides by India and located in the central point between Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent, this geographical location makes this country vulnerable to be a transit country for trafficking of drugs. Use of drugs is increasing and drug related crimes are aggravating over the years which range from the family and society to national and International level. On the other hand injecting drug use and addicted behavior are the causes of widespread infection of HIV.

Recognizing the economical, familial and societal consequences of drug and keeping in mind the spirit of UN Convention against illicit trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in 1988, DAM launched a program to prevent the menace of drugs in 1990 which is known as AMIC (Addiction Management and Integrated Care). Starting with the primary prevention program and keeping the changing circumstances always in mind, DAM also extended its program to many other dimensions including treatment and rehabilitation of drug users HIV/AIDS prevention, Tobacco Control etc. DAM has vast experience are some specific mentionable areas which include: community and home based detoxification, STIs management, voluntarily testing and counseling (VCT), capacity development, tobacco cessation, abscess managements and various BCC materials development as well. All these experiences helped DAM to operate the treatment centers smoothly.

As both male and female issues are being addressed, HIV prevalence and risk will be reduced through services being provided. In addition to that DAM has experience to work with prison inmates for HIV/AIDS prevention.