Ashok Shinge

Ashok Gorappa Shinge joined Sahara in 2010 at the age of 20.

1. Early Life and Education:

   • Ashok dropped out of school at the age of 9 to work and support his large family, completing his schooling up to the 4th grade.

2. Substance Use:

   • Ashok began using alcohol, substances, and drugs at age 12.

   • Support Provided by Sahara:

     • Sahara introduced Ashok to the Needle Syringe Program and gradually transitioned him to Opioid Substitute Therapy.

     • Once stabilized, Sahara admitted him to their care home for detoxification, providing essential supplies like needles, syringes, condoms, and buprenorphine.

3. Criminal Activities and Incarceration:

   • Ashok was involved in criminal activities and faced incarceration multiple times.

   • Support Provided by Sahara:

     • Sahara educated Ashok on his rights and the NDPS Act and conducted sessions with law enforcement on harm reduction, including the local police in Support Don't Punish programs.

     • Sahara ensured Ashok received his medication and opioid substitute while incarcerated.

4. Health Issues:

   • Ashok experienced convulsions and opportunistic infections, was diagnosed with Pulmonary Tuberculosis, weighed 37 kg, and had a CD4 count of 114. His mobility was severely affected.

   • Support Provided by Sahara:

     • Sahara admitted Ashok to the care home on multiple occasions for treatment of convulsions and opportunistic infections.

     • They facilitated TB testing and treatment, ensuring he completed the entire course despite lacking proper documentation, with support from Sahara’s Red Cap team.

     • Comprehensive care at the care home included physiotherapy, counseling, and nutrition.

5. Challenges with ART and ATT:

   • Ashok faced difficulties accessing Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment (ATT) due to drug compliance issues related to sobriety.

   • Support Provided by Sahara:

     • Sahara’s Red Cap team collaborated with Dr. Kadam to facilitate HIV testing, ART, and ATT enrollment.

     • Ashok participated in an HCV Research Project by NARI, receiving free HCV treatment in Pune.

     • Sahara educated Ashok on treatment literacy, transmission and prevention, harm reduction, and basic rights.

6. Homelessness and Family Rejection:

   • Ashok was living on the streets and faced rejection from his family.

   • Support Provided by Sahara:

     • Sahara included Ashok in the Pimpri Support Group and maintained regular contact with his family through visits and phone follow-ups.

     • He regularly visited the Sahara Drop-In Center for street-based drug users, where he received meals, medical check-ups, drug counseling, and essentials like clothing, soap, and water.

7. Lack of Official Documents:

   • Ashok lacked official documents, hindering access to services, including healthcare.

   • Support Provided by Sahara:

     • Sahara helped Ashok obtain necessary documents such as an Aadhar Card and PAN Card and assisted him in opening a bank account.

8. Skill Development and Employment:

   • Ashok lacked marketable skills and faced mental health and behavioral challenges.

   • Support Provided by Sahara:

     • Sahara provided boarding and lodging, as well as training in work ethics, teamwork, housekeeping, outreach (certified as a peer educator), hospital duty (certified), P&G safe water distribution, and palliative care work (certified).

     • Sahara employed him in various roles within the KCA Sahara project, including housekeeping, community outreach, the Red Cap Team, peer educator, and junior care worker.

9. Key Frontline Worker During COVID-19:

   • Ashok was a key frontline worker during the COVID-19 pandemic.

   • Support Provided by Sahara:

     • Sahara made provisions for vaccinations, protection, and training.

Achievements and Current Circumstances:

• Ashok has remained sober for 10 years, is married, and has adopted his partner's two children. He works as a ward boy in the Intensive Care Unit of Bharatiya Vidyapeeth Hospital, Pune.

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was involved in food distribution and medication delivery to migrant and vulnerable populations.

• Ashok’s CD4 count is now 1004, his weight is 53 kg, and his viral load is undetectable.

• His family has accepted him, his partner, and their children.