Sahara Aalhad is a 28 year old organization whose mission is to empower people facing difficult situations due to substance use and HIV/AIDS. Sahara Aalhad has implemented a range of strategies to empower people, strengthen communities, to encourage safer behaviours and to aid in the reintegration of people into society. Sahara Aalhad has 36 projects most of which address substance use and HIV/AIDS. Sahara Aalhad is run almost entirely by former substance users and PLHA. Sahara Aalhad runs services for men, women, children and the transgender community.

Radhika was married in 1994. She describes her husband as a "vagabond...he used to drink and beat me...he did nothing for a living." Radhika rolled bidis(cigarettes) at home for sale in a store, earning ...