HIV/AIDS epidemic in Europe: HIV transmission through injecting drug use

Opioid substitution therapy is one of the best ways to prevent HIV transmission among people who inject drugs. Integrating such therapy with HIV treatment and care is key to addressing the HIV epidemic effectively.

In the WHO European Region, the rate of HIV transmission through injecting drug use has remained relatively high and stable between 2010 and 2012. While decreasing in the east, it increased in the centre and west of Europe. The increase was due mainly to outbreaks in two European Union countries.

In September, WHO/Europe will report on progress in implementing the European Action Plan for HIV/AIDS 2012–2015. Each month until then, we highlight a specific area of the Action Plan – this month, reducing HIV transmission from injecting drug use.

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