UN-BACKED REPORT HIGHLIGHTS SPREAD OF HIV THROUGH DRUG INJECTION

UN-BACKED REPORT HIGHLIGHTS SPREAD OF HIV THROUGH DRUG INJECTION New York, Sep 25 2008 6:10PM More than 40 per cent of injecting drug users from several low- and middle-income countries are HIV positive, according to a United Nations-backed study released today, which also advocates strengthening prevention activities such as needle exchanges.

According to the Reference Group to the UN on HIV and Injecting Drug Use, which conducted the study, there are an estimated 16 million people worldwide who are injection drug users. More than 40 per cent of them are believed to be living in China, the United States and Russia.

The report warns, however, that the true extent of the problem is unknown. "Existing data are far from adequate, in both quality and quantity, particularly in view of the increasing importance of injecting drug users a mode of HIV transmission in many regions."

Additionally, the study – published today in <i>The Lancet</i> – has suggested that countries and regions at a high risk, such as Africa and the Middle East, were not reporting on the issue, while in Asia there has been little assessment of the impact of a growing methamphetamine epidemic on the spread of HIV.

The Reference Group – which provides advice to UN agencies working on the issue such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (<"http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/un-report-focuses-on-spread-of-hiv-through-drug-injection.html">UNODC) – called for boosting HIV prevention activities among injecting drug users, and treatment and care for those living with the virus.

"Creating an enabling environment for provision of effective HIV services still remains a serious challenge for stakeholders including governments and civil society organizations in many countries," noted UNODC's Global Coordinator for HIV/AIDS, Christian Kroll.
2008-09-25 00:00:00.000

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