Rapid Spread of HIV Among Indonesian Drug Users Calls for Action

". . . The dramatic increase in HIV infection among IDUs [injection drug users] in Indonesia is worrying. We are not fully prepared to face an epidemic when we are already burdened with various other issues. That is why effective and proven strategies should be carried out immediately.

"Yet, although support to move in this direction is beginning to increase, there are still some who are against these strategies, either because they are misinformed, do not understand addiction, or because they are even less aware about HIV, drug-related harm and how this affects the country on a national scale.

"In confronting drug problems, there are groups who can be categorized as 'supply reductionists' -- those who believe that focus should be given to finding ways to cut supplies of illicit drugs and using the full strength of law enforcement. Another group, 'demand reductionists,' are those who believe we should focus on finding ways to prevent drug use and to rehabilitate those with drug problems. With HIV in mind, we now have 'harm reductionists' who are more concerned about cutting down the amount of harm that is related to drugs. There is a place for each of these approaches and there are places where supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction strategies overlap.

". . . Tools to reduce harm can be applied in all situations, be it on the street level, where resources are low and hamper treatment-seeking behavior, in prison, or in counseling centers or any other service points where the drug abuser or addict may show up. Its simple objective, which is to reduce harm for anyone using drugs, decreases potential harm and cost to those around them. It has also been shown that harm reduction approaches often motivate people to ultimately stop using drugs. . . ."

The author is chair of the Kita Foundation Addiction Treatment and Community Recovery Center in West Java, Jakarta.

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