United Kingdom: Leader Hails City HIV Reduction

Edinburgh Council's leader said HIV infections have declined among intravenous drug users (IDUs), but evidence of needle-sharing among young IDU would need continued monitoring. "Edinburgh's position is now as a center of excellence where voluntary and statutory services work closely together offering some of the best care and support in the UK," said Ewan Aitken. "The introduction of needle-exchange schemes, the coordination of policy through the regional council's AIDS coordinator and the quick reaction of the support services have led to a situation where new infections amongst intravenous drug users have dropped to a very small number. It is one of Edinburgh's success stories. But we also need to keep an eye on the emergence of crack cocaine and evidence that young people are again sharing needles."

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