People who use drugs
The HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs is increasing at an alarming rate. In some instances HIV prevalence is as high as 80% within certain drug user communities. In 2009 the World AIDS Campaign started a programme to strengthen and support campaigning on drug use and universal access.
It is estimated that 15.9 million people inject drugs in 158 countries and territories around the world. The overwhelming majority (80%) live in low- and middle-income countries. Outside of sub-Saharan Africa, up to 30% of all HIV infections occur through injecting drug use. Most affected regions are Eastern and Central Europe, the Baltic States and South East Asia, with growing concern that injection drug use is now taking a firm hold in communities in sub-Saharan and West Africa.
Despite overwhelming evidence in favor of harm reduction as an effective HIV prevention strategy, and despite endorsements by UNAIDS, WHO and UNODC, the global coverage of harm reduction intervention remains poor, especially in countries where such services are in need most. Only 2-3 percent (200-300 million U.S. dollars) of all the available resources for AIDS is spent on harm reduction. Most governments treat addiction as a crime and use repressive and extreme measures that deny drug users human rights rather than put public health needs first.
Human rights abuses against people who use drugs are widespread, and they impede HIV prevention, treatment care and support efforts. Examples of this are the denial of harm reduction services, discrimination in accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART), abusive law enforcement practices, disproportionate criminal penalties, and coercive and abusive drug dependence treatment. Moreover, vulnerable groups, including young people and women have been neglected and sidelined in HIV prevention strategies relating to injecting drug use.Governments need to fully commit to the widespread provision of harm reduction strategies aimed at intravenous drug users, such as free needle exchanges and providing substitutes to illicit drugs, such as methadone.
This website space is an opportunity to share information link resources and keep our partners and people with a keen interest in drug use linked to and updated on global events in the world of drug users and harm reduction. If you have anything you would like to post on this page please send materials, links and any other relevant information to Greg Gray, the Key Populations Campaign Coordinator.
For links to valuable information on drug use and HIV explore the folders below.
Announcements
Within this section you will find press releases, statements and announcements.
Resources
This section will be updated as frequently as possible with new materials, usefuls links or calls to action around people who use drugs.
International Drug Policy Consortium - December Alert
The International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) is a global network of NGOs and professional networks that work together to promote objective and open debate on drug policy. This Alert contains news, updates on the latest publications and upcoming events relevant to international drug policy.
Release's Drug Workers Legal Manual - a comprehensive tool for professional development
Latest information on drugs & the law available now
The Release legal manual is a comprehensive online tool providing important guidance to those working with drug users including drug workers; probation; GPs and other health specialists. The manual provides information and advice on the areas of:
- Confidentilaity and information sharing;
- Drug interventions and the criminal justice system;
- Drugs and the law;
- Legal issues affecting drug users
Peace and Collaborative Development Network Building Bridges, Networks and Expertise Across Sectors
"The Irish Centre for Human Rights is currently accepting applications for a Doctoral Studentship in Human Rights and Drug Policy."
-Source: Guy Maginzi
World AIDS Campaign Works with the Moldovan Civil Society to Develop an HIV Campaign
UNAIDS posted an article on their website about a World AIDS Campaign hosted workshop in Moldova. The workshop was led by Greg Gray, the Key Populations Campagin Coordinator based in Bangkok and Bianca Marks, the Global Programme Officer based in Cape Town. The workshop started on October 21st and ended on October 22nd. The aim of the workshop was to explore how civil society can campaign nationally to hold political leaders accountable to commitments made regarding Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support by 2010.
Syringe programmes return $4 for every $1 invested
"Distributing syringes to drug injectors had prevented at least 32,000 HIV infections and 100,000 hepatitis C infections across Australia in the past 10 years, new research has found. Harm reduction campaigner, Mr John Ryan, said the national that needle and syringe programs (NSP) had saved Australia $1.28 billion in health costs in the past decade years. The study was funded by the Federal Government’s Department of Health and Ageing. It was conducted by the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research. The study will be launched on Thursday October 22 in Sydney."
-Source ANPUD Asian Network of People who Use Drugs
Asian drug users unite to form regional organisation
"Over twenty-five drug users from nine different countries met in Bangkok on 16th and 17th October 2009 to finalize the Asian Network of People who Use Drugs (ANPUD) Constitution and elect a Steering Committee for the first regional network of people who use drugs."
- Source Asian Network of People who Use Drugs
UN Human Rights Council endorses harm reduction and access to essential medicines
"The UN Human Rights Council, the highest political body in the UN dealing specifically with human rights, has closed its twelfth regular session having adopted two resolutions of considerable importance to harm reduction – HIV/AIDS and human rights, and access to essential medicines."
- Source International Harm Reduction Association
Universal Access Asia: Voices and Perceptions of Communities Affected by HIV and AIDS
In collaboration with partners across the Asia region and support from UNAIDS, Health & Development Networks has produced the report, ‘Universal access in Asia: Voices and perceptions of communities affected by HIV and AIDS’.
The call for Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for affected people arose from a series of high–level meetings in 2005, and is now a central part of HIV initiatives across all regions.
Universal Access in Asia faces a number of challenges, and this document records the views, perceptions and perspectives of community writers and contributors from across the region. Their stories provide vital insight into the reach of universal access, recording some of the key issues they consider are impacting on their communities.
