Kombatende Sikombe

This session addressed the opioid-epidemic to reduce new HIV-infections. Canadian Minister of Mental-Health reported 7,500 opioid overdose deaths. Canada decriminalised substance abuse with harm reduction groups, like Europe. Substances were highlighted as a public health issue, not criminal, and a safer, more regulated drug supply is needed to reduce HIV.

Drug-related deaths in America rose from 10,000 per year to 90,000 in 2020 and 100,000 this year. This surpasses gun deaths, homicide, and AIDS. 3.5 million years have been lost due to drug overdose, and big pharma promoted oxycodone for pain. There is an epidemic of pain/pill popping culture. The USA has the highest incarceration rate, followed by Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. This is due to the aggressive war on drugs. Western Europe's lower incarceration rates should be studied to combat this epidemic. 50% of US inmates were on drugs before incarceration, and HIV rates were higher, highlighting bad criminalization policies. Decriminalizing substance abuse is important because 10 million people are incarcerated and 30-70 million use drugs daily. Alona said Europe's new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have risen by 43%. Poor policy and punitive laws make it difficult for drug users to access care. Alona discusses the Opioid Agonist Treatment programme in Eastern Europe. She also noted that the war has affected their efforts to treat 18,506 patients and that Russia's ban on the OAT-program has prevented them from integrating HIV and primary care. She says they've adapted by connecting patients with overseas services.

How to change national policies and get governments to support safe supplies while addressing mental health issues are implementation gaps. Criminalization spreads HIV. Some countries decriminalize on paper but not in practice. Legalizing cannabis brought sanity to a generation that was dependent on it, and regulating production and doses is safer. The meeting favoured DSD for opioids. Unintentional stigma against medical cannabis users needs study. Comprehensive, human rights-based drug policy reform will increase access to cost-effective harm reduction measures. Failed drug policies have lasting effects. Civil society and affected communities help design strategies.