What is the best way to prevent HIV transmission through injecting drug use?
HIV transmission through injecting drug use is best prevented by providing a comprehensive package of interventions and services in outreach to injecting drug users (IDUs) and their injecting or sex partners. Any single activity on its own will not work. Critical HIV prevention measures among drug users include: • Provision of HIV information and education to drug users and their sex partners about HIV risks and about safer injecting and safer sexual practices; • Making condoms available to drug users; • Needle-syringe exchange programmes; • Integration of HIV prevention and care into drug (addiction) treatment programmes; • Provision of counselling, care and support for drug users living with HIV infection or AIDS; • Access to treatment for sexually transmitted infections and other health care services for drug users and their partners; • Substitution treatment.
