Webinar | Crisis of Harm Reduction Funding

Crisis in Harm Reduction Funding. Opportunities for Governments to act in South-Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network, the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association and the Drug Policy Network of South-Eastern Europe are hosting an online discussion about the funding challenges and opportunities for governments to the crisis of harm reduction services in SEE countries and the Balkans.

The webinar will take place on the 20th of April from 13:00h to 14:30h CET

Countries of South-Eastern Europe and the Balkans, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia, are experiencing relatively high levels of HIV and HVC infection among people who inject drugs, including those who inject psychoactive substances. However, due to limited domestic resources and the gradual withdrawal of the Global Fund from the region, the governments of these countries are facing a lack of resources to continue the long-term funding of comprehensive harm reduction programmes. In addition to these and other barriers, in some countries, there is no legal basis for NGOs to provide services to marginalized populations, including people who use drugs.

During this webinar, C-EHRN, EHRA and DPNSE will present the research they have conducted in the area and discuss its key findings, which include among others:

Common challenges of scaling-up harm reduction programmes in the countries of South-Eastern Europe.

Consequences of the limited funding of the harm reduction services for public health and national healthcare systems.

Opportunities available for the governments of the region to act and invest funds and efforts in effective and proven models of harm reduction in their respective countries.

 

To register, please fill in the form here https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-4Dh14MmQumJc3mPJxZgOw

In the meantime, you may access the report here.

The alarming decline in testing on the 40th year of the fight against AIDS

Every year on 1st December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. A day we unite to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses and reflect upon our worldwide responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Today marks the 40th year of the fight against AIDS. A benchmark. The theme of World AIDS Day 2021 is “End inequalities. End AIDS”, aiming to highlight the growing inequalities in access to essential HIV services. As we experience a new pandemic, this becomes more relevant than ever. COVID-19 has exacerbated inequalities, and impacted people living with HIV/AIDS, particular in terms of access to testing, treatment and health services.

There are alarming statistics mentioned in the newly-shared press release “HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs: Let’s make up for lost time against the epidemics!” by the Coalition Plus and EuroTEST initiative, launched on 28th November 2021, the last day of European Testing Week.

A study conducted in 44 countries proves a 35% drop in HIV screenings between 2019 and 2020 among key populations. The number is even higher among sex workers, who were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 59%.

Inequality defines infection patterns
The newly launched Global Aids Strategy 2021 – 2026, aims to respond to the inequalities that exist between key populations in different countries and regions. Although key populations have been able to maintain access to life-saving HIV services in some settings, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and harm reduction – even during COVID-19 lockdowns -, there is a critical and sharp decline in testing caused by the very pandemic that is affecting those most marginalized and underserved.

Building upon this framework, and Political Declaration from last June, on this day we call on the following priority actions to ensure that testing, treatment and care remains accessible for the already marginalized and underserved communities we work for and with.

Intensify and redouble efforts to scale up comprehensive harm reduction for people who use drugs in all settings, including needle-syringe programmes, opioid substitution therapy, as well as prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis community-led outreach and psychosocial support.

Ensure that sexual and reproductive health and rights services are non-judgmental and non-discriminating, developing programmes to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination, while fostering initiatives that address the cross-cutting dimensions of stigma and discriminations faces by key populations.

Urgently expand access to combination HIV prevention, including PrEP and harm reduction. To ensure that services articulate person-centred and integrated care models that focus on quality of live outcomes beyond viral suppression goals.

Gender-responsive harm reduction programmes for people (including adolescents and young people) who use stimulant drugs or other new psychoactive substances must be introduced and scaled up.

Take urgent actions against the criminalizing laws, policies, and law enforcement practices against  people who use drugs, sex workers, migrants, people of diverse SOGIESC, racialiced people, as well as for the redress of criminalization’s negative effects on HIV, viral hepatitis and other health issues.

Strengthen community-led and community-based harm reduction programmes and to advance community leadership and advocacy, ensuring adequate resources, funding, and enabling eviroments. Within interventions among key populations, a significant increase in resources is needed for combination harm reduction services for people who inject drugs.

Ending AIDS by 2030
Do you also agree that ending inequalities would end AIDS? What does your organisation or you personally do to reach the elimination goals by 2030? What are your recommendations to end AIDS by 2030? Share them online with the hashtag #HRAtWork. We are here to support and strengthen your work.

UNODC Webinar
The UNODC is organising a webinar called “Reflecting on the persistent inequalities that prevent progress in ending the AIDS pandemic” on 2nd December, 10:00-11:30 CET.
Please click here and join the meeting directly tomorrow.

Press Release by Coalition PLus and EuroTest Initiative | #COVID19 Diaries: The sharp, critical decline in testing

The Press Release from Coalition Plus and the EuroTEST initiative titled “HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs: Let’s make up for lost time against the epidemics!” was shared on the last day of the European Testing Week 28th November 2021.

The press release points out the sharp and critical decline in testing for HIV, hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among the most vulnerable populations, led by the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistics are alarming and worrying. 

According to a study conducted in 44 countries, there was a 35% drop in HIV screenings between 2019 and 2020 among key populations. The number is even higher among sex workers, who were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 59%.

Ben Collins, the chair of European Testing Week, says that with all the great effective treatments at hand, there is every good reason for anyone at risk for HIV, viral hepatitis, or STIs to get tested this week or any week of the year.

“If we are to reach the global goals set for 2030, it is paramount to remove legal and regulatory obstacles to the provision of services at the community level, which is a crucial step in effectively reaching the unreachable.” concludes the Press Release.

The International and European Testing Week initiative focuses on increasing access to testing and raising awareness about the importance of early testing. The next testing week will be in the spring of 2022. Follow the updates and be on time in supporting their efforts.

URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED! – Romanian Hospitals Lack Anti-Retroviral Medicines

Urgent Request for Support | For far too long, vital medicines for the health of people living with HIV have been missing from Romanian hospitals.  The Ministry of Health has finally promised a solution to this situation by the end of October; in the meantime, patients are forced to seek support from NGOs and the international community.

As a result of a lack of funds allocated to HIV medication by the Ministry of Health, and a budget rectification postponed for too long, hospitals have been unable to purchase vital medication. Since August, several hospitals in Romania have faced a lack, or complete absence, of HIV medication. In Bucharest, two of the largest hospitals have been forced to give anti-retroviral treatment (ART) medication for only a week, instead of a month, due to low stocks. Other hospitals in the country are also completely out of drugs, and this has an extremely negative impact on those living with HIV.

 


Hospitals marked in red have been reported by patients living with HIV has having shortages of ART drugs.
Those in yellow have been reported at least once. Source: Tratament ARV, 22nd  of September, 2021.

On 13 August, 2021, members of the LGBTQI community, as well as organizations in the field of drug use and HIV/AIDS, participated in a protest in front of the Ministry of Health. After an ad-hoc meeting, the Health Minister, Ioana Mihaila, compromised by adopting a Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS by the end of October.

Despite these promises, the community of people living with HIV in Romania is experiencing an urgent need of support. The current situation endangers the lives of people living with HIV. ART drugs keep people alive and well. Those who start drug treatment, however, have to stay on the drugs; if they don’t, the virus in their body evolves into a drug-resistant strain, putting them at further risk of not being able to use their personalized treatment scheme. As a result, patients must be re-evaluated, other (and often more expensive) drugs may be necessary, and they face the additional risk of their bodies not accepting the new treatment.

Contrary to the trend across Europe, Romania, particularly its capital, Bucharest, has seen a drastic increase in HIV infection rates in the last decade.  This is fuelled by the use of synthetic drugs and the lack of adequate harm reduction services.

 

Absence of drugs, an endemic situation in Romania
This is not a new situation; limited access to treatment, reduced stocks or absence of medicines is a recurrent problem for people living with HIV in Romania.  In the absence of a national program that can cover the costs of HIV treatment throughout the year, the authorities offer improvised solutions, and hospitals have become accustomed to borrowing drugs from each other when they are gone. Tratament ART, the national platform for monitoring access of people living with HIV in Romania to medicines, has been reporting on similar cases in hospitals for some time. Alongside this, the EU HIV/HCV/TB Civil Society Forum and different local NGOs have been urging the Romanian government for more than a decade to take steps to ensure sufficient drug supply.

Support for the community left without medication
Ana Mohr, representative of MozaiQ, points out that the LGTBQI community is among the hardest affected, and that people living with HIV are facing a more pressing situation by the day.  Within this context, national and international NGOs in Romania are urgently collecting medicines from international donations, other NGOs, doctors, and activists from all over Europe.

Currently, there is a high need for the following drugs: Lamivudine/ Abracavir (Kivexa), Tenofovir/emtricitabine (Truvada), Reyataz, Genvoya, Dovato, Tivicay, Triumeq, Lamivudine/emtricitabine, Lamivudine/zidovudine (Combivir), Dolutegravir, Efavirenz

If you, your colleagues or contacts, have access to one or more of the above drugs and can share them, MozaiQ will be very grateful.  You can send them to their office for further distribution.

More information:
https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/de-ce-au-ramas-spitalele-din-romania-cu-un-stoc-redus-de-medicamente-pentru-pacienii-hiv-3732218
https://romania.europalibera.org/a/romania-hiv-lipsa-medicamente/31444527.html

Contact:
mozaiqlgbt@gmail.com

 

COVID-19 Resource Centre

To support people who use drugs and other marginalized and underserved communities, as well as health and social workers delivering services under challenging conditions to bring this outbreak to a close, Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network is developing this Coronavirus Resource Centre. This capacity-building initiative complements our advocacy activities and the Joint Position on the Continuity of Harm Reduction Services During the COVID-19 Crisis that we published together with the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network, and the Rights Reporter Foundation. 

This Resource Centre brings together contributions, materials, experiences of our members, partners and allies. New/Updated materials come first, as situations change very quickly.

If you discover any out-of-date links or if there would be any links that could be included, please, let us know at this address: rpgayo@correlation-net.org

 

STATEMENTS | POSITION PAPERS | ADVOCACY

Coalition Plus, IDPC, HRI, INPUD, C-EHRN, INHSU, TAG | COVID-19: An Opportunity For POlicy Reform [June, 26th]

RCC-THV | Call to Action in Response to COVID-19 [May, 14th]

UNAIDS | Sex Workers Must not be Left Behind in the Response to COVID-19 [April, 8th]

TGEU | COVID-19 & Trans People [April, 6th]

INPUD, HRI, EHRA, IDPC et al | Call to Action COVID-19 – Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health [March, 31st]

Nobody Left Outside | EU and national government COVID-19 responses must reach everyone – including marginalised people [March, 26th]

UN Human Rights Experts | No Exceptions with COVID-19: Everyone Has the Right to Live-Saving Interventions | [March, 26th]

EATG | EATG statement on the evolving COVID-19 pandemic [March, 25th]

PICUM | The COVID-19 pandemic: We Need Urgent Measures to Protect People and Mend the Cracks in our Health, Social Protection and Migration Systems [March, 25th]

EUPHA | Statement by the EUPHA Migrant and ethnic minority health section on COVID-19 – CALL FOR ACTION [March, 24th]

UNAIDS | Rights in the time of COVID-19. Lessons from HIV for an effective, community-led response | Infographic | [March, 20th]

C-EHRN & EHRA | Harm Reduction Must Go On [March, 19th]

Human Rights Watch | Human Rights Dimensions of COVID-19 Response [March, 19th]

Global Rights / Susanna Ronconni | Prisoners Rights Matter! Statement | Article [March, 19th]

FEANTSA | COVID-19: “Staying Home” Not an Option for People Experiencing Homelessness [March, 18th]

ICRSE | COVID-19: Sex Workers Need Immediate Financial Support and Protection [March, 18th]

Penal Reform International | Coronavirus: Healthcare and Human Rights of People in Prison [March, 16th]

DPNSEE | Public Appeal to Protect Vulnerable Groups from COVID-19 [March, 2nd]

 

GUIDELINES | PROTOCOLS | GOOD PRACTICE

 

DRUG USE

EHRA | Harm reduction service delivery to people who use drugs during a public health emergency: Examples from the COVID-19 pandemic in selected countries [November 2020]

Manitoba Harm Reduction Network | Outreach Guidelines During COVID-19 [Updated, March, 26th]

EuroNPUD & INPUD & Respect Drug Users Rights | COVID-19: Advice for People who Use Drugs [March, 26th]

Forum Substitution Praxis | Newsletters on COVID-19 and Substitution Treatment [GER] [Update Daily]

Drug Reporter | How Harm Reducers Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic in Europe? [Last update: March, 20th]

MAINline | 8 Corona-Tips voor Mensen die Drugs Gebruiken [NL] [March, 20th]

AFEW International | Mental Health & Psychological Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak [March, 20th]

Scottish Drug Forum | Guidance on Contingency Planning for People who Use Drugs and COVID-19 (v1.0) [March, 19th]

Echele Cabeza | Consumo de Sustancias Psycoactivas en Cuarentena [SP] [March, 19th]

Zurich Drug Consumption Rooms | COVID-19 Protocols [March, 19th]

Metzineres | COVID-19 Harm Reaction Poster | Flyer (front) | Flyer (back) [March, 19th]

Energy Control | Party & Drugs in the Time of Coronavirus [March, 19th]

YALE | COVID-19 Guidance: Clinicians & Opioid Treatment Programs [March, 18th]

YALE | COVID-19 Guidance: Patients Engaged in Substance Use Treatment [March, 18th]

YALE | Guidance for People Who Use Substances on COVID-19 [March, 18th]

Arild Knutsen | An Open Letter on COVID-19 and PWUD [March, 17th]

DPNSEE | Instructions on Coronavirus for PWUD [Serb] [March, 16th]

Quality Assurance Commission for Substitution Treatment in Germany | Information on Opioid Substitution and COVID-19 – Advice for Physicians [March, 16th]

LANPUD | Drogas y COVID-19 [SP] [March, 14th]

INPUD | Harm Reduction for People Who Use Drugs [March, 13th]

Drug Policy Network SEE | Basic Protective Measures Against the New Coronavirus [March, 11th]

HRC | Safer Drug Use During the COVID-19 Outbreak [March, 11th]

HRC | Syringe Services and Harm Reduction Provider Operations During the COVID-19 Outbreak [March, 11th]

CREW | Coronavirus – General Hygiene Harm Reduction Tips [March, 4th]

 

SEX WORK

ICRSE | Sex Workers Response to COVID-19 in Europe and Central Asia [continuosly updated]
NYC Health | Information on Safer Sex during COVID-19 [March, 21st]
Butterfly Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network & Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project |Sex work COVID-19: Guidelines for Sex Workers, Clients, Third Parties, and Allies [March, 19th]

 

HOMELESSNESS

FEANTSA | Seven Measures Authorities Must Take to Protect Homeless People form COVID [March, 31st]
CDC | Interim Guidance for Responding to COVID-19 among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness [March, 22nd]
Canadian Drug Policy Coalition | Homeless Shelter Bed Spacing for COVID-19 [March, 19th]
Welsh Government | Guidance for Substance Misuse and Homelessness Services (v1.0) [March, 19th]

 

PRISON

Dignity | Global Guidance & Recommendations on how to Prevent & Manage COVID-19 in Prisons [March, 25th]
WHO | Guidance on Preparedness, Prevention & Control of COVID-19 in Prisons & Places of Detention [March, 15th]

 

GENDER & SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Metzineres | Woman & Gender Non-Conforming People Who Use Drugs Surviving Violence During Quarantine [April, 8th]
NYC Health | Information on Safer Sex during COVID-19 [March, 21st]
GMSH | COVID-19: 2GBTQ MEN [March, 20th]
David Stuart | What does coronavirus (COVID-19) mean in regard to Chemsex? [March, 19th]
Energy Control | Party & Drugs in the Time of Coronavirus [March, 19th]

 

HIV, HCV & TBC

Alliance of Public Health | Practical Recommendations to Reshape a Sustainable Response to HIV/TB/HCV in the EECA Countries with COVID-19 Context [May, 14th]
WHO | Q&A on COVID-19, HIV & Antiretrovirals [March, 24th]
UNAIDS | What People Living with HIV Need to Know about HIV and COVID-19 [March, 19th]

 

MIGRATION

IASC | Interim Guidance on Scaling-up COVID-19 Outbreak in Readiness and Response Operations in Camps and Camp-like Settings [March, 17th]
Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility | Principles of Protection for Migrants, Refugees and Other Displaced Persons [   ]

 

CAPACITY BUILDING

STUDIES | REPORTS | ARTICLES

International Journal of Drug Policy | Chang, J., Agliata, J. & Marinieri, M. | COVID-19 – Enacting a ‘New Normal’ for PWUD [July, 3rd]

London School of Economics & Political Science | Saving Lives in the time of COVID-19. Case Study of Harm Reduction, Homelessness and Drug Use in Dublin, Ireland [July, 1st]

INPUD | Survey Report #1 – Health & Rights of PWUD in a COVID-19 Enviroment [June, 30th]

HRI | COVID-19, Prisons and Drug Policy | Global Scan [Last Update: June, 27th]

ICRSE & SWAN | COVID19 Crisis Impact on Access to Health Services for Sex Workers in Europe and Asia [June, 20th]

Open Society Foundations | 10 Lessons from HIV for the COVID-19 Response [June, 12th]

Global Drug Survey | GDS Global Special Edition on Covid-19 Interim Report [June, 2nd]

EMCDDA | EU Drug Markets Impact of COVID-19 [May, 29th]

EATG | Rapid Assessment #2: COVID-19 Impact on PLHIV and on Communities most affected by HIV [May, 28th]

EHRA | Harm reduction programmes during the COVID-19 crisis in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia [May, 26th]

EMCDDA | Trendspotter Briefing – Impact of COVID-19 on Drugs Services and Help-Seeking in Europe  [May, 12th]

National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Adiction Czech Republic | Rapid Assessment [April, 6th] | Rapid Assessment [May, 11th]

 

WEBINARS

FEANTSA | COVID19 & Rough Sleepers [June, 10th]

ISAM | 3rd Webinar on COVID19 and Substance Use [May, 7th]

Alliance for Public Health | COVID-19 Lessons: What can make HIV programs in EECA countries more sustainable? [May, 5th]

ISAM | 2nd Webinar on COVID19 and Substance Use [April, 15th]

INPUD, Medicines du Mond, HRI, UNDOC, WHO | COVID-19 Harm Reduction Programme Implementation [April, 6th]

International AIDS Society | COVID-19 & HIV: What you Need to Know [April, 3rd]

EU Health Policy Platform | COVID-19 European Coordinated Response to the Pandemic [April, 3rd]

CATIE |  Coping with COVID-19: Insight from the Front Lines of HIV, Hepatitis C & Harm Reduction [March, 26th]

Institute for Interdisciplinary Innovation in Healthcare | COVID-19: a Systemic Crisis [March, 25th]

ICPA | Response to COVID-19 in Prisons | Slides | [March, 19th]

ISAM | COVID-19 and Substance Dependence [March, 19th]

Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts | Medications for Opioid Use Disorder and the COVID-19 [March, 19th]

HRC | Harm Reduction, COVID-19, and People Who Use Drugs [March, 18th]

 

 

INTERVIEWS & DIALOGUES

Drug Reporter Live Sessions | Stories From the Front Line

Norway | Arild Knutsen & Øystein Bruun Ericson [May, 11th]
The Netherlands | Cedric Charvet & Aukje Polder
Spain | Pedro Quesada & Nuria Calzada
Italy | Susanna Ronconi & Pino di Pino 
Czech Republic | David Pesek, Dominika Jasekova & Pavel Bem

GDS Corona Conversations | Dialogue Series with Various Guests (selection)

Steve Rolles | Transform Drug Policy Foundation [UK]
Niamh Eastwood | Release [UK]
Judy Chang | INPUD [UK]
Mat Southwell | EuroNPUD

 

PODCASTS

Crack Down |Emergency Measures [March, 20th]

Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris |How to Handle Coronavirus Anxiety | Special Edition [March, 14th]

Healing Justice | Coronavirus: Wisdom from a Social Justice Lens [March, 13th]