Drug users
There are about 13 million injecting drug users in the world. The use of contaminated needles accounts for 80% of all HIV infections in Eastern Europe and central Asia. Drug users are also vulnerable because of the social and legal status they have in society. Once HIV enters a community of injecting drug users, the infection can rapidly spread to the rest of the population if appropriate measures are not taken in time. Yet in spite of the importance of injecting drug users in the response to HIV, global HIV prevention coverage for this subpopulation is 5% at best.
Comprehensive package for drug users
HIV infection among drug users could be prevented using a comprehensive package:
- Full range of treatment and care services
- Implementation of harm reduction measures
- Peer outreach
- Needle and syringe exchange programmes
- Providing voluntary, confidential HIV counselling and testing
- Prevention of sexually transmitted HIV
- Access to primary health care
- Access to antiretroviral therapy
Out now! STOP AIDS NOW! publication on drug use and HIV risk among young people in sub-Saharan Africa. Download the report and fact sheet here.
