Drug Abuse Driving Rise in HIV, Hepatitis B & C Cases, Says Shimla DC

Shimla July 18, 2026

Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap has expressed concern over the increasing number of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C cases linked to intravenous drug abuse, urging parents and society to play a proactive role in preventing substance addiction among youth. Chairing a joint review meeting of the District AIDS Prevention and Control Committee, he stressed that HIV is not spread through casual contact and called for compassion, timely testing and community support for those living with the infection.

Officials informed the meeting that 441 of the district’s estimated 546 people living with HIV have been identified, while 119 new HIV-positive cases were reported during the previous financial year. The administration also highlighted the role of the Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) Centre at IGMC Shimla in providing treatment, counselling and rehabilitation for people affected by opioid addiction, while helping prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis through unsafe injection practices.