Impact of HIV prevention programs on drug users in Malaysia.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2009
Abstract
Faced with a rising HIV epidemic among injecting drug users, harm reduction policies and programs were introduced in Malaysia in 2005. The positive impact seen since the introduction of these programs comprise the inclusion of the health aspects of illicit drug use in the country's drug policies; better access to antiretroviral therapy for injecting drug users who are HIV infected; reduction in HIV-risk behavior; and greater social benefits, including increased employment. Despite these achievements, tension between law enforcement and public health persists, as harm reduction exists alongside an overall drug policy that is based on abstinence and zero tolerance. Unless there is harmonization of this policy, sustainability and scale-up of harm reduction programs will remain a challenge.
Keywords
Drug Users, HIV Infections/epidemiology
Publication Title
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
Volume
52 Sup
Publisher
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Additional Information
Department of Medicine, Center of Excellence for Research in AIDS, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. adeeba.kamarulzaman@gmail.com