Access to HIV-and co-infection(s) treatment, care and prevention services for people who use drugs

In the context of global health challenges, the marginalisation of people who use drugs remains one of the most significant barriers to achieving equitable public health. Despite overwhelming evidence supporting harm reduction and infectious disease services as both effective and necessary, access for people who use drugs is often hindered by systemic stigma, discrimination, and punitive drug policies. These barriers not only exacerbate the health risks associated with drug use, but they also undermine human rights and the dignity of those affected by criminalising laws.

In Europe, the landscape of drug policy and harm reduction services shows a mix of progress and setbacks, with varying degrees of implementation and success across countries. While some countries have made significant progress towards integrating harm reduction into their public health strategies, others lag, hampered by legal barriers, lack of political will, and stigmatisation of people who use drugs.

EHLF Resources

The resources developed in this EHLF round are aimed at supporting national advocacy efforts towards a health-centric, rights-based approach to drug use and harm reduction. 

This EHLF report explores policy, legal and practice barriers for PWUD to accessing HIV and co-infection(s) services, and pathways for equitable access. The EHLF report covers 10 European Union Member States France, Romania, Lithuania, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Finland, Greece, and Hungary. 

The Policy Paper and the Policy Briefs draw upon a wealth of evidence from across Europe and outline a set of recommendations aimed at dismantling the barriers to harm reduction services for people who use drugs.