A call for an universal access to healthcare services and a protection of human rights for people who use drugs in EECA

On 26 June, on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (EHRN) expressed its deep concern regarding the poor access to the essential medical and social services for people who use drugs (PUD) in countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Repressive drug policy, violence against people who use drugs, women in particular, lack of effective mechanisms to support harm reduction services, overdose prevention, opiod substitution therapy, and social support from the national governments lead to violation of rights, torture, spread of infectious diseases and premature deaths among drug users.

During the last two years access to healthcare services for PUD in our region has worsened significantly. Despite the fact that there are about 3.7 million people who inject drugs living in the region, and that one in four of them is already infected with HIV, while 70 to 90% are sick with hepatitis B and C, governments refuse to increase funding for harm reduction programs. At the same time, these programs keep balancing on the verge of the ban in Russia. Preference to focus on the full state control over trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances at the expense of the healthcare of people who use drugs, lies at the root of the situation described above.

EHRN calls the national governments and international donors to provide universal access to healthcare services and to protect human rights of people who use drugs in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

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