Institute of Medicine Releases Report on HIV/AIDS Among Injection Drug Users

"Preventing HIV Infection Among Injecting Drug Users in High-Risk Countries," Institute of Medicine: The report -- which focuses on Eastern Europe, former Soviet republics, and several parts of Asia -- was sponsored by UNAIDS and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and analyzes HIV prevention approaches among injection drug users. The report -- which includes evidence-based assessments and recommendations for illicit drug use treatment, access to clean needles and education and outreach programs -- finds that there are a number of strategies "effective at decreasing risky drug-related behavior when used in a multicomponent approach" that should be "implemented where feasible." In addition, the report suggests that "each affected nation will have to determine the best combination of interventions for its economic, cultural, and social circumstances" (National Academies release, 9/15).

Back to other news for September 18, 2006