Summary

Research Report: Discusses the HIV epidemic amongst Injecting Drug Users (IDU's) in the region.

Description

Author: Dr Nick Crofts, Director, the Centre for Harm Reduction, The Macfarlane Burnet Centre for Medical Research

This paper is one of a series of four academic research papers prepared for
a meeting titled HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific: Its everyone's
problem. The paper discusses the HIV epidemic amongst Injecting
Drug Users (IDU's) in the region. From a historical perspective of
the spread of IDU along drug supply routes, an understanding of the location
and usage patterns are gleaned. A common attribute among IDU's is
marginalisation and the reluctance of governments and even UN agencies to
assist disease prevention programs amongst them. Government inaction and
detrimental policies have resulted in some IDU communities having a HIV
prevalence of up to 90%.

Crofts argues that a harm reduction approach (as undertaken in Australia)
can significantly reduce the spread of the disease. Asian governments are
slowly changing their attitudes from one of inaction to increasing concern. The
author urges governments to pay more attention to the reality of the situation
and design responses accordingly.

HIV/AIDS - Harm reduction: injecting drug use [PDF 34KB]

Available: Electronic version only

This report was commissioned by AusAID. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of AusAID or the Australian Government.

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