Biregional strategy for harm reduction 2005-2009: HIV and injecting drug use

Abstract

Injecting drug use is rising worldwide. Of an estimated 13.2 million people now injecting drugs, 78% are in developing and transitional countries, with as many as half in Asia. HIV can spread explosively amid circumstances that create isk situations or facilitate unsafe behaviour among those who inject drugs. In order to accelerate action against the apidly increasing and high prevalence of HIV among people who inject drugs in Asia, the WHO Regional Offices for South-East Asia and the Western Pacific and the bi-regional contact group on HIV and drug use have prepared the Bi-regional Strategy for Harm Reduction 2005-2009.