In New York, one in seven persons who use drugs is living with HIV. 30% to 40% of these these users still share needles, leading to an increased exposure to HIV. In sub-Saharan Africa, one-third of all new HIV infections happen to people using injection-drug.
The link here? Repressive law enforcement activities by United States, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, among others. Nations with the most aggressive drug policies report terrifying infection rates amongst people who use drugs.
In fear of recrimination, they are prevented from seeking clean needles. When infected, they are further driven away from available health services and treatments and are instead increasingly mired in unsafe practices that increase the risk of infection. Such a vicious cycle makes HIV more prevalent than it should be in even the most developed countries and in certain regions.
Instead of criminalising drug users, the focus should move towards prevention and treatment. Government should encourage people who use drugs – as well as others who are at risk – to come forward for treatment. Such measure are proven to be far economical than to reinstate policies that aim to threaten those faced with drug addiction.
Concerted effort should be made to advocate AIDS prevention message. As the sayings goes, “prevention is better than cure”, resources used to criminalise people who use drugs can be better placed towards community education and outreach programme.
In place of fear, the voice of authority should be sown with empathy, support and positivity. Everyone has a right to health, even people who use drugs. The ongoing war on drugs deters us further to truly put an end to AIDS and therefore shall be put to an end, too.
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