Preparation for the scale-up of comprehensive harm reduction services in Thailand
The Consolidated Report and eight site reports on RAR on injection drug use in Thailand are available for downloading in both English and Thai versions. The eight sites are Chiang Mai, Fang, Mae Hon Song (in the Northern Report), Songkla, Satun and Surat Thani (in the Southern Report), Bangkok and Ratchburi. This research was part of the CHAMPION IDU Programme, which is under the Global Fund for fighting AIDS, TB and Malaria (Round 8), and was conducted by the Asian Harm Reduction Network in partnership with Thai academic networks from Chiang Mai University, Chulalongkorn University and Prince of Songkla University.
The aim of these investigations was to learn more about injection drug use in order to inform the development of harm reduction services in Thailand. Some findings of interest include the increasing trend towards injection of methamphetamine and the switch to alternative drugs among heroin injectors (such as midazolam, other benzodiazepine drugs, opium and methadone) in response to the short supply and increasing cost of heroin. What is evident across all sites is the urgent need for harm reduction services to prevent the spread of HIV. The reports conclude with recommendations for the development and scale-up of harm reduction efforts across the country and for specific sites.
Download the Consolidated Report and eight site reports on RAR on injection drug use in Thailand
Asian drug users unite to form regional organization
Press Release
21 October 2009
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. Based on the principles of Meaningful Involvement of People who Use Drugs (MIPUD), ANPUD has been setup by people who use drugs to advocate for the rights and unify the voices of their communities across Asia. ANPUD has over 150 members throughout the Asia region who are collaborating to influence decisions that affect their lives.
Despite being the region with the largest number of people using drugs in the world, access to effective services such as needle and syringe exchange programs and opioid substitution therapy to prevent HIV and hepatitis C transmission, the Asia region has the lowest coverage of harm reduction services across the globe. The lack of affordable HIV and HCV prevention, treatment, care and support services is largely driven by the stigma and discrimination associated with drug use..
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AHRN Newsletter
Every four months, the AHRN Newsletter reaches over 2000 people and programs in 72 countries on AHRN's growing mailing list. Once inside a country, this Newsletter is often copied and distributed to other people. Featuring in-country updates, conference reports and other articles on HIV and injecting drug use in Asia, the newsletter has become a catalyst and a voice for HIV/AIDS programs across the region. We would like to see the newsletter and other AHRN resources translated into local languages (Hindi, Vietnamese, Thai, etc). But the strong readership and constant feedback being generated suggests that the newsletter is already an important vehicle for supporting HIV/AIDS initiatives in Asia.
Feature
Preparing for AIDS2010 – An Interview with Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman
Drug Use and HIV Among MSM and TG in Asia-Pacific
Bold Steps Needed in Cambodia
Advocacy
Reflections on the Politics of Harm Reduction and the Global Response to HIV
World AIDS Day Messages 1 December 2009
Programme
Harm Reduction Scale-Up in Thailand
Policy Drug Policy Perspectives
Inside AHRN
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Unit (TACB)
Gender in the Context of Harm Reduction: Moving Ahead to Practice
Conferences
Outcomes and Highlights – The 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific
Reflection from the 2009 Harm Reduction Conference in Bangkok
In My Backyard: Dispelling Myths About Methadone Description :
This film highlights the patients, staff and services of a methadone maintenance treatment clinic operating since 1974 in a church building in the heart of residential and commercial Greenwich Village, NYC.
Language :
english
Waiting for a Legal Shot Description :
Denmark is about to start prescribing heroin for those opiate addicts, who did not benefit from any kind of other treatment forms. The HCLU's video advocacy team went to investigate. For more information visit our website at: www.drogriporter.hu/en/l
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