The International journal on drug policy
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Int. J. Drug Policy · Oct 2007
ReviewIntegrating multiple programme and policy approaches to hepatitis C prevention and care for injection drug users: a comprehensive approach.
New York State is home to an estimated 230,000 individuals chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and roughly 171,500 active injection drug users (IDUs). HCV/HIV co-infection is common and models of service delivery that effectively meet IDUs' needs are required. A HCV strategic plan has stressed integration. ⋯ A comprehensive, public health approach, using multiple strategies across systems and mobilizing multiple sectors, can enhance IDUs access to HCV prevention and care. A holisitic approach with integrated services, including for HCV-HIV co-infected IDUs is needed. Leadership, collaboration and resources are essential.
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Int. J. Drug Policy · Oct 2007
ReviewGlobal estimates of prevalence of HCV infection among injecting drug users.
In this paper, we review evidence of HCV prevalence among injecting drug users (IDUs) worldwide. ⋯ Taken together, data suggest high global prevalence of HCV and HIV/HCV co-infection among IDUs. We suggest exploring protective factors in sites of low HCV prevalence.
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In the last 20 years, China has seen a resurgence in drug use, particularly heroin, and with it a growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Faced with this dual epidemic, the government has begun testing harm reduction strategies in recent years. These have included methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programmes, needle-syringe programmes (NSP), outreach, and increasing access to HIV testing. ⋯ Management of scale-up and reaching China's vast and dispersed drug-using population remain key challenges. The introduction of harm reduction has been a massive turn-around in thinking by the government, particularly law enforcement agencies, and achieving this has required considerable cooperation and understanding between the Ministries of Health, Public Security, and Justice, and the Food and Drug Administration. With their support, rapid scale-up to effectively reach a majority of drug users can be achieved in the coming years.