Implementing programmes

In December 2005, the United Kingdom's statement: 'Harm reduction: tackling drug use and HIV in the developing world' specifically supported the use of harm reduction as a means to help prevent HIV. This statement highlights the need for better understanding, dialogue and coordination between the public health sector and law enforcement. It also highlights the need to support the rights of vulnerable groups to access services, including the rights of drug users.

The Beckley Foundation Drug Policy Programme (BFDPP) argues that successful harm reduction programmes need to integrate local values and address social contexts of drug use. Establishing gender sensitive policies and programmes are also vitally important as the need of female IDUs may differ significantly from their male counterparts.

There is a need, however, not just for improved harm reduction programmes within countries, but also for better international co-ordination and funding to help countries develop and implement the most effective strategies. See comment on harm reduction from the International HIV/AIDS Alliance.

Harm reduction programmes

The International Harm Reduction Association has promoted the development of regional networks, including the Asian Harm Reduction Network, (AHRN), the Central and Eastern Europe Harm Reduction Network (CEEHRN) , the Latin American Harm Reduction Network (RELARD) and the African Harm Reduction Network. The CEEHRN and AHRN have gained prominence due to the significant HIV epidemics related to injecting drug use in these countries.

American and Canadian networks such as the Harm Reduction Coalition, the North American Syringe Exchange Association and the Canadian Harm Reduction Network have pioneered public health services for injecting drug users against all odds, and have achieved significance in their work on treatment advocacy and the promotion of support groups.