The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) says people who use drugs should not be criminalised, calling for greater funding for community-led harm reduction programmes.
In a statement to mark the International Drug Users’ Day, UNAIDS said action was needed to address the negative effect criminalisation has on HIV, viral hepatitis and other health issues.
The day, commemorated annually on Nov. 1, affirms the rights of this population.
“UNAIDS calls for the full involvement of communities of people who use drugs in achieving legal reform aimed at decriminalisation and in the organisation of harm reduction programmes at the country level.
“This will help us to end inequalities and end AIDS,” said Winnie Byanyima, the agency’s Executive Director.
UNAIDS underlined its commitment to human rights and to supporting countries as they strive towards decriminalisation of drug possession and full implementation of harm reduction programmes.
Although people who use and inject drugs are among the groups at highest risk of acquiring HIV, they remain marginalised and often blocked from accessing health and social services.
In 2020, nine per cent of all new HIV infections were among people who injected drugs.  Outside of sub-Saharan Africa, the figure rose to 20 per cent.
And while women comprise less than 30 per cent of people who use drugs, they are more likely to be living with HIV than their male counterparts.
The UN system promotes harm reduction services and decriminalisation of personal possession of drugs, UNAIDS said.
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These policies do not increase the number of people with drug dependency, but instead provide substantial public and personal health benefits.
Timely introduction and full-scale implementation of accessible harm reduction programmes can prevent HIV infections as well as many cases of viral hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and drug overdose, according to the agency.
However, less than one per cent of people who inject drugs live in countries with UN-recommended levels of coverage of needles, syringes and opioid substitution therapy.  Meanwhile, the funding gap for harm reduction in low and middle-income countries is a “dismal” 95 per cent.
Even where harm reduction programmes are available, they might not necessarily be accessible, UNAIDS added.
Criminalisation of drug use and harsh punishments, such as incarceration, high fines or removal of children from their parents, are just some of the impediments.
“Women who use drugs face higher rates of conviction and incarceration than men who use drugs, contributing to the increased levels of stigma and discrimination they face in healthcare settings.
“In effect, criminalisation of drug use and possession for personal use significantly and negatively impact the realisation of the right to health,” the agency said.
In 2021, UN Member States set targets on decriminalisation of drug possession for personal use, and on elimination of stigma and discrimination against those who use drugs and other key populations.
The targets have a deadline of 2025 and include ensuring that 90 per cent of people who inject drugs have access to harm reduction programmes that are linked to hepatitis C, HIV and mental health services.
However, UNAIDS said to reach them, “strategic actions at the country level need to start today.” (NAN)
