AIDS Conference Shows Sweet, Practical Side to Drug Treatment

British Prince Harry (second from left) and Sir Elton John (third from left) pose for a photo during a session on the Elton John Aids Fund on the second day of the International Conference on AIDS, Tuesday in Amsterdam. Photo: VCG

At the International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, a doctor is on duty to prescribe methadone, a legal substitute for heroin, to delegates who may have weaning difficulties.

Nelda de Grave Of course, she would have takers, but feels that it is his duty to ensure that addicts among the conference attendees "are not sick, not withdrawn" and " good enough to follow the procedures.

One floor down, in a large advocacy space at the conference venue, counselor staff set up a "risk reduction" booth with boxes on sterile tattoo needles for users intravenous drugs. need of them.

No questions were asked

Such pragmatism about the use of narcotics and drug addiction may be normal in the Netherlands, a country known for its open approach to drugs, which remains illegal.

"The organizers of the conference have asked us to be ready, especially for people from Eastern Europe and Central Asia," de Grave said. at the AFP

. According to a report by UNAIDS, infections with the immune system virus that causes AIDS have increased by 30% in the region since 2010, according to experts. To be on methadone … is obviously not common in these countries, so only to attend the conference well you must have some medications, "said de Grave.Reducing Harm

epidemiologist and public health expert Chris Beyrer, "a progressive drug policy can really be a critical part of controlling the HIV epidemic."

"Part of that It ensures that people who use, do it in a safer way and are not associated with the transmission of the disease, "he said during a visit to the Amsterdam Addiction Center next door [19659008]. also offers to test drugs, including heroin, for purity and safety.

Walk-in clients pay 2.50 euros ($ 2.92) for a test

In the Netherlands, experts say that intravenous HIV transmission is extremely rare

.

Ingrid Bakker, one of the harm reduction advisers present at the conference, said that about 20 people had used the service during the first three days.

"We have a lot of things" told AFP, gesturing around the small cabin. "The bulk is for injection."

There are sterile needles and syringes and cups for dissolving heroin.

"You can also do it with a spoon, of course, but it's sterile. "There are filters to remove impurities from the liquid heroin mixture, sterilizing wipes, tampons to apply pressure on the sting point, and portable yellow plastic bins to dispose of used needles. [19659002] aluminum foil for … if you want to smoke heroin, "Bakker said, pointing to another product.

& # 39; support. Do not punish "

" In the Netherlands, we have heroin of very good quality, so there are many people who do not inject heroin, but they do smoke by "chasing the dragon".

She explains that it is a form of harm reduction because it presents an alternative to injection.

There are also booklets of sniffing papers, with tips printed on them.

"Crush and chop the powder as finely as possible". leaves advise. "Be nice with your nasal passage and opt for small lines."

The papers help stop the spread of hepatitis C, which can cause liver disease, says Bakker. "People use straws, for example, which are enough if you share them and if you have … just a tiny tiny piece of blood … the virus could be transferred."

According to Ann Fordham, who leads the international drug policy. Consortium, an advocacy network, there was a 30% increase in HIV among injecting drug users worldwide between 2011 and 2015.

Less than one percent of injecting drug users live in countries where Needle exchange is available.

AIDS Campaigners Launch Campaign "Say No to War on Drugs" – Direct Challenge to Ronald Reagan's "Just Say No" Slogan at the Heart of the "War on Drugs" . 19659002] "I said no to drugs but they did not listen," reads in an alternative campaign slogan.

ort. Do not punish, "says another

A report released this month by Harm Reduction International indicated that funding for these services in low- and middle-income countries – mainly donor money – had stagnated at the time. during the last decade

. In 2016, $ 188 million was allocated – the same as in 2007. "

" In simple terms, the lives of people who use drugs are overlooked, "according to the report.

Headline: Reduce evil