UK statement on tackling drug use and HIV is an important step

16 January 2006

The UK government’s statement, ‘Harm reduction: tackling drug use and HIV in the developing world’, will make an important contribution to ensuring that policies, strategies and programmes designed to reduce the harm associated with illicit drugs in developing countries form part of the global response to HIV/AIDS, according to the Alliance.

“The HIV-related impact of injecting drug use in developing countries remains vastly under acknowledged and under prioritised” said Dr Alvaro Bermejo, executive director of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance. “Any initiative aimed at increasing recognition of and support for more harm reduction programming in developing and transitional countries is welcome.”

Worldwide, there are an estimated 13.2 million injecting drug users, over ten million of whom live in developing and transitional countries. Estimates suggest that three million injecting drug users worldwide are infected with HIV, and in the worst affected communities more than 80% of injecting drug users are infected. In 2002 it was estimated that injecting drug users accounted for at least 10% of all new HIV infections, rising to an estimated 30% when sub-Saharan Africa was excluded.

The statement published in December 2005 sets out the UK government’s position on harm reduction including:

  • recognition of the need for increased international dialogue and understanding about HIV and AIDS, particularly between the public health sector and the police and public security sectors;
  • support for equitable access to HIV prevention, treatment and care services especially for vulnerable and marginalised groups including drug users;
  • recognition that stigma and discrimination needs to be addressed, and that these may pose barriers to accessing services;
  • support for drug users’ rights to access to a comprehensive range of services and support, and recognition that their rights should be protected and respected in the broader rights-based approach to AIDS.

The statement also sets out evidence on the effectiveness of harm reduction measures as well as some of the challenges for developing a coherent global approach to harm reduction policy and programming among both donor and recipient governments.

The Alliance contributed to the consultation process which formed part of the development of the UK statement. “In our response to the consultation we focused on two issues: the need to address vulnerability and human rights violations of drug users in many developing countries; and the need for focused attention on realising treatment and harm reduction synergies. Better international co-ordination and funding for preventing drug-related harm is needed to support countries to develop and implement the most effective strategies to eradicate poverty and reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS. The Alliance believes the UK government’s statement on harm reduction in developing countries will be an important part of that effort,” said Dr Bermejo.

For more information, contact Joseph O’Reilly (email joreilly@aidsalliance.org)