EHRN

NEWS DIGEST
January 2009

[Download the ENGLISH digest in Word format]
[Download the RUSSIAN digest in Word format]


***In CEE/CA***
Methadone maintenance program is now available in Kazakhstan
Substitution therapy to start in Tajikistan in 2009
UNODC organized regional AIDS seminar in Riga
 
***In the world***
New UNAIDS Chief gives unequivocal support for harm reduction at Donor Conference on Harm Reduction
The preparations of a political declaration on drugs in March: the division on harm reduction
ICASO announces new Executive Director
Two HIV/AIDS doctors convicted in Iran
HCLU presents new film on drug tourism and announces poster and video contest
Obama Administration lifts the ban on NSP but stalls talks in Vienna
Obama makes new decisions on abortion policy

***Upcoming events & courses***
1st International Symposium on Hepatitis care in substance users
1st German Swiss Austrian congress on AIDS: SOEDAK
5th European Conference on clinical and Social Research on AIDS and Drugs
International Conference 'Prisons and Health Protection' to be held in Madrid
20th International Summer School on Human Rights
Training opportunities from EACS
Call for Abstracts for 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention
International Workshop and Conference on Networks Science 2009

***Vacancies***
ITPC seeks an International Coordinator
International HIV/AIDS Alliance is looking for country director in Myanmar
Job Opportunity at VANDU: Administrative Director
ECDC seeks for two experts in the field of HIV/AIDS, STI and/or hepatitis B&C;
Legal Policy Research Centre provides position for Legal Analyst

***Publications***
Report ARV4IDUs in Eastern and Central Europe [en] [ru]
Publications from Yalta Summit on Opioid Substitution Therapy [en] [ru]
An overview by IHRA and HRW: International Support for Harm Reduction [en]
Human Rights Watch prepared World Report 2009 [en]
IHRA Release New Report on Harm Reduction and Human Rights [en]
WHO and UNAIDS resource kit for writing Global Fund HIV proposals for round 9 [en]
ITPC issues a CCM advocacy report [en]
 
***Research***
Rebound of overdose mortality in the European Union 2003-2005: findings from the 2008 EMCDDA Annual Report
New York Health Department Links heavy Drinking to HIV
Early antiretroviral therapy reduces mortality among HIV-infected infants
JIAPAC call for papers



***In CEE/CA***
Methadone maintenance program is now available in Kazakhstan
Source: www.zakon.kz  
January 15, 2009

Pilot project of methadone maintenance program in Kazakhstan started in December, 2008. The project, confirmed by Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan, is at the moment being carried out in two cities: Temirtau and Pavlodar. These two cities have been chosen to participate in the pilot project due to biggest number of HIV positive IDUs registered in this area. The main goal of the experiment is to reduce the further spread of the epidemic in the community.

25 HIV positive drug users are now receiving methadone maintenance therapy in Termitau. Contracts are made with participants of the project and they have to follow strict discipline in order to receive treatment.

As experts say, the pilot project started well. Final results are to be made by the end of its realization in the end of 2009. It depends on the results of the project if MMT receives further expansion in the country. EHRN congratulates Kazakhstan on the work made.

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***In CEE/CA***
Substitution therapy to start in Tajikistan in 2009
Source: Murtazokhoul Khidirov, Tajik Harm Reduction Network
January 30, 2009

Tajik Harm Reduction Network forecasts that a pilot project of opioid substitution therapy covering 200 drug users will start by the middle of 2009. Tajikistan would become the 4th Central Asian country with substitution therapy at some level.

After ten years of advocacy by experts and NGOs, last September the government of Tajikistan has adopted a decision to pilot methadone maintenance therapy in the community settings. The pilots are planned in two largest cities of the country – Dushanbe and Khujand.

Currently, a Harm Reduction Task Force of the National Coordination Committee to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is working on practical steps, including national guidelines on methadone maintenance therapy. The Task Force is chaired by Murtazokhoul Khidirov, who is also a head of the Tajik Harm Reduction Network.

According to Dr. Khidirov, the start of the substitution therapy in Tajikistan is planned for in the first quarter of 2009. However, the process might be held up due to technical reasons: a license for import, storage and usage of methadone has not yet been received from the Ministry of Health of Tajikistan.

Many harm reductionists in Russia and other countries have misconceptions that Tajikistan has not been able to introduce substitution therapy due to explicit legislative ban for using narcotics for drug dependency treatment (like in case of Russia), however, according to Dr. Khidirov no such legislative barriers exist in the country.

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***In CEE/CA***
UNODC organized regional AIDS seminar in Riga
By: Larisa Abrickaja, EHRN  
January 31, 2009

In 2006, member-states of the United Nations committed themselves to scaling up HIV prevention and treatment responses to ensure universal access by 2010. To assist the Governments of the Baltic States in achieving this goal, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in cooperation with the Ministries of Health implements a regional project "HIV prevention and care among injecting drug users and in prison settings in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania". The main achievements of the project in 2007 - 2008 were presented and discussed during a regional seminar "Universal access to HIV prevention and care by 2010: can we achieve it in the Baltic States?" which took take place on January 29-30, 2009 in Riga, Latvia.

The main objectives of the seminar were to exchange information about results achieved in each of the project countries, to present and discuss the recommendations of the mid-term evaluation of the project, as well as to discuss the priorities for 2009 - 2010.

The main issues addressed during the seminar were the sustainability of project activities and the current challenges for HIV response. The question of involvement of national agencies in the project activities in the future and introduction of ‘sustainability assessments’ into the assessment of small grants was on of the major topics given that the region can not continually rely on donor funding.

Promotion of further action on HIV in prisons and other custodial settings in the Baltic States was discussed. Estonian delegates expressed hope for methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) to start in 2 months in Tartu prison. Latvia and Lithuania committed to piloting MMT in at least one prison before the end of the project (however Lithuania suggested to introduce 1 month pre-release MMT which would be more realistic in terms of the project). Additionally, all participants of the conference agreed on establishing relevant monitoring and evaluation framework of the project.

Also, some new research data have been presented during the conference – including study on availability of syringes in pharmacies, study on prevalence of HIV and other infections and risk behaviour among IDUs in Baltic States and research on rapid assessment and response on drug use in few prisons. All documents should be soon available on official UNODC Project Office for the Baltic States Website.

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***In the world***
New UNAIDS Chief gives unequivocal support for harm reduction at Donor Conference on Harm Reduction
By: Vitaly Djuma, RHRN and Raminta Stuikyte, EHRN
January 30, 2009

On January 28-30, 2009, a Donor Conference on Harm Reduction was looking for practical solutions to strengthen commitment to services for people who use drugs in enabling environment, including making the universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support a reality for people who use drugs. It concluded with a set of practical steps to strengthen harm reduction policies in the Global Fund, the European Commission, better coordination through a global harm reduction advocacy strategy.

The meeting brought together representatives from bilateral and private donors, implementing countries, communities of people who use drugs, people living with HIV, youth, as well as harm reduction networks and UN agencies.

Newly elected UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé inspired the participants with a clear support to harm reduction: "Universal access means all the elements of harm reduction must reach all injecting drug users."

Dr Sidibé appealed to remove legal barriers to harm reduction services and to respect human rights of people who use drugs: "It should not be a crime to get clean syringes. It should not be a crime to get methadone treatment. The human rights of every single person need be respected. One of the most significant steps forward we can make to universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support is to stop criminalizing use of needle exchange, methadone treatment and other substitution therapies. We must stop criminalization of drug users." (Full speech is available in English there[C1] ).

The NGO Delegate to the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, Vitaly Djuma, reflecting demands of international and regional harm reduction networks around the world, requested the donors' community to significantly increase the support to harm reduction, paying attention both to direct services and to advocacy efforts. Harm Reduction Networks, including Eurasian Harm Reduction Network (EHRN), raised the issue of addressing harm reduction not only as HIV issue but prioritize drug users needs related to hepatitis C and overdose; meeting harm reduction funding gaps not only in developing but also in transitional and developed countries. (Full text of requests is available in English there[C2] ).

Assessment of current investment into harm reduction by Daniel Wolfe of IHRD/OSI concluded with a recommendation for a better donors coordination at international and national levels, lack of funding for advocacy and identification of some neglected regions like Latin America, need for sustainable mechanisms and addressing harm reduction also in, for example, new European Union countries or the US. The need to prioritize and be more strategic, particularly in the economic crisis time, was picked up by a number of participants of the meeting.

Among the follow up actions, it is expected to better link harm reduction and enabling drug policy agenda through the Global Fund by initiating its harm reduction strategy, through UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, as well as requesting the European Union to address more drug user related issues in its development strategy and funding for AIDS, TB, and Malaria, and harm reduction networks to propose a global advocacy agenda. Some more controversial recommendations, like creating emergency fund for harm reduction issues, did not agree on clear follow up actions. The conference was not created for making donor pledges too.

Participants emphasized that the political environment and need to push forward harm reduction in the ongoing negotiations for the declaration to assess 10-year progress of UN General Assembly Special Session on drugs. As one speaker mentioned, having harm reduction in the political declaration on drugs is not only the European Union, Afghanistan and Australia issue. It should be very much in interest and negotiations by other countries.

The host, Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation Bert Koenders told the conference participants on behalf of the Netherlands: "We will be aiming for no less than securing the inclusion of harm reduction in the political declaration by which [UN] member states determine international drugs policy. We will do the same when, in 2010, the honor of chairing the UNAIDS governing board falls to the Netherlands. You can count on that."

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***In the world***
The preparations of a political declaration on drugs in March: the division on harm reduction
By: Simona Merkinaite, EHRN
February 2, 2009

With a little more than a month to go till the review of UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs, the governmental negotiations around the new Political Declaration in Vienna are timing out. Much of the debate is around having or not having the words ‘harm reduction’ in it.
In March, the world will review the progress after the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs 1998 (UNGASS 1998) and should renew its commitments in a new Political Declaration to be adopted at a High Level Meeting on March 11-12, 2009. The Political Declaration should set international policy directions and priorities for upcoming years. Therefore the negotiations taking place in Vienna now will have an impact on international and national levels.

While the process is still ongoing, the current negotiations show still big division on what could be called ‘traditional’ dividing issues at international drug debates that involve the EU, Russia and the US: human rights, harm reduction, balancing drug supply and demand reduction. There is no agreement whether drug conventions are subjection (legally higher) to UN human rights obligations and instruments. The current draft of the Declaration is not balanced in terms of drug supply and demand reduction and fails to set realistic goals for the future, as well as to evaluate the failure of UNGASS 1998 to reach its key objective - elimination or significantly reduction of the scale of the global drug market.
Mentioning of ‘harm reduction’ is supported by the European Union, Australia and Latin America among others.

While the US remains the chief proponent of a zero-tolerance approach, it has support from Russia and Japan, neither of whom support even mentioning of ‘harm reduction’. Many non-EU countries of our region that have explicit policies on harm reduction remain silent during the negotiations.

The negotiations on harm reduction and human rights might be changed if there is a change of the US delegation. The US capital city seems to be ready for drug policy changes but this might not reach soon its representatives in Vienna. The new US President Obama publicly stated that he and his Vice-President “support legislation that would lift the ban on federal funding for needle exchange as a strategy to reduce HIV transmission among injection drug users and their partners and children”. Obama is also looking for a new drug tsar and appointed a temporary drug policy chief instead of previous drug-free promoter. Media and Congress Members create a pressure to transform the national change into changed US position at the international negotiations before the political document is adopted (see for example Reuters article here and NY Times here).

In the meantime the Czech Republic, current Presidency of the EU, has demonstrated fantastic professionalism and leadership to include a strong language around harm reduction, human rights references and balanced approach in the draft Political Declaration.

The negotiations will continue throughout February and is expected to be ready for the adoption at the High Level Meeting (HLM) to be held in Vienna on March 11- 12, 2009. The regular meeting of CND will take place on March 16 -20. You may find the provisional agendas for HLM and CND at UNODC website here.

Civil society activists can influence the process by:

- Contacting your Country Mission to Vienna and talk to them about the negotiations. Let them know that the civil society is informed of the negotiations and try to find out their position in the negotiations;

- Propose the civil society perspective on harm reduction and suggest input on the text of Political Declaration (for further information please write to Simona Merkinaite at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

EHRN also created a special forum in the framework of drug policy project where the updated information on HLM and CND is posted. Please let me know as This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you want to participate in the forum.

EHRN is implementing the drug policy project in 4 countries of the region: Albania, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine with the goal to facilitate the civil society input for March Vienna events and advocate for human rights and evidence based drug policies. All four countries are working on (1) influencing the structure of the delegations to HLM and CND primarily by provision of informational support in preparations to HLM and inclusion of civil society representatives into the delegations to CND and (2) establishing dialogue on national drug policies.

One of the biggest obstacles at the moment is the low interest in the international affairs from high level officials at least in Albania and Georgia. In the framework of the project the round table discussions will be organized in upcoming weeks in Albania and Ukraine to facilitate the debate about the Vienna events between governments and civil society.

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***In the world***
ICASO announces new Executive Director
Source: ICASO  
January 27, 2009

The Board of Directors of the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO) named Kieran Daly as the new Executive Director of its International Secretariat.

Mr. Daly, who for the last three years has held the position of Director of Policy and Communications within ICASO, was selected after an exhaustive world-wide search. He follows Richard Burzynski, who stepped down as the founding Executive Director in December last year.

"We look forward to this time of new leadership for ICASO," the Chair of the Board, Ms. Jacqueline Coleman, said.

Mr. Daly, who has been active in the field of AIDS policy for over ten years, has experience at the country, regional and international levels on AIDS policy and advocacy. New Executive Director of ICASO during his career has been actively involved in NGO delegation at the Global Fund Board and Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) working groups and committees. He holds a Masters degree in Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London.

Founded in 1991, the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO) mobilizes and supports diverse community organizations to build an effective global response to HIV and AIDS.

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***In the world***
Two HIV/AIDS doctors convicted in Iran
Source: http://www.unhcr.org/   
January 16, 2009


On January 16 authorities in Tehran, Iran, announced that four unnamed Iranians were charged with "communications with an enemy government" to "launch an overthrow of the Iranian government". Few days later it was announced that two of them are HIV/AIDS doctors and brothers Kamiar and Arash Alaei, who since 1997 were developing harm reduction policy in the country.

Doctors have been detained in Tehran’s Evin prison since June 22, 2008. Kamiar and Arash are sentenced to terms of three and six years respectively. The doctors’ trial, held on December 31, 2008, did not meet standards of due process under international human rights law or even under the Iranian penal code. The brothers still have not been fully informed of all charges against them and their attorney did not have the opportunity to rebut the case.

Kamiar and Arash Alaei were involved in harm reduction policy in the country for more than a decade. In 1997 they began running harm reduction and HIV/AIDS prevention care centers targeted toward injecting drug users and prisoners. Eventually their program grew to a network of clinics in 67 Iranian cities and 57 prisons.

In addition to their work in Iran, the Alaei brothers have held training courses for Afghan and Tajik medical workers and have worked to encourage regional cooperation among 12 Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries. Their efforts expanded the expertise of doctors in the region, advanced the progress of medical science, and earned Iran recognition as a model of best practice by the World Health Organization.

EHRN and other supporters of harm reduction express their preoccupation and allege that persecuting these doctors for their exemplary public health outreach will put a chilling effect on medical research, science, and public health in Iran, which will ultimately harm not only the Iranian people but also the neighboring region.

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***In the world***
HCLU presents new film on drug tourism and announces poster and video contest
Source: Hungarian Civil Liberties Union  
January 6, 2009

Smoking without borders is an HCLU film about drug tourism in the Netherlands. The name of Bergen op Zoom, a Dutch town near the Belgian border, became known from the media in the end of last year, when its mayor decided to close down all coffee shops selling cannabis due to crime and nuisance caused by drug tourists coming from Belgium. The aim of the film is to show that the problem of drug tourism is not caused by cannabis use or coffee shops, but by the illegality of cannabis in neighboring countries. You can watch ‘Smoking without borders’ online.

HCLU is also calling for submissions to the Unintended Consequences - Poster & Video Contest, as part of civil society's efforts to raise awareness on the 10 years review of global drug control efforts. This contest aims to contribute to highlight unintended consequences of drug control efforts on public health, crime, environment, human rights – by articulating personal stories and tragedies, lost opportunities and liberties, and the irreversible damage that has been caused to lives and property.

Deadline of poster submission: 20 February, 2009
Deadline of video submission: 5 March, 2009

For more information visit www.drogriporter.hu.  

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***In the world***
Obama Administration lifts the ban on NSP but stalls talks in Vienna
Source: UNGASS, IHRA
January 21, 2009

The Obama White House announced on January 21 that the new President supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of HIV/AIDS infection among drug users.
As President elect he announced a comprehensive National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce HIV infections, increase access to treatment and care and reduce HIV/AIDS-related health disparities.

Nevertheless, US delegates in Vienna negotiating a new Political Declaration – to be approved in March 2009 at the high-level segment of the 52nd session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs – are still stalling introduction of the words harm reduction and related language. U.N.-sponsored negotiations are close to breaking down, with profound divisions between Europe and the United States on key policy issues, participants at the talks in Vienna say.

Though Obama administration lifted the NSP ban, it does not advocate all 'harm reduction' strategies, which can include drug consumption rooms, safe-injecting rooms, and providing heroin and needles in prisons – and which are essential in current talks.

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***In the world***
Obama makes new decisions on abortion policy
Source: IPPF
January 23, 2009

On 23 January 2009, President Barack Obama rescinded the Global Gag Rule, one of the most controversial and ideologically motivated policies imposed by former President Bush. The Global Gag Rule, re-imposed in 2001, stated that U.S. funding for family planning was denied to any non-U.S. NGOs that used their own money to: provide counselling and referral for abortion, even in countries where abortion is legal or perform abortions in cases other than a threat to the life of the woman, rape, or incest.  

For eight years the Global Gag Rule has been used by the Bush administration to play politics with the lives of poor women across the world.  In rescinding this disastrous and unjust policy, President Obama has returned the United States to the international consensus on women’s health and begun the process of repairing the damage of the last eight years.

International Planned Parenthood Federation estimates that during the Bush administration it lost at least US$100 million for the life saving family planning and sexual and reproductive health services that American affiliates in over 100 developing countries deliver to their communities.  Based on internationally recognized estimates this funding would have prevented 36 million unintended pregnancies and 15 million induced abortions. More tragically 80,000 women’s and 2.5 million infant and children’s lives would have been saved.  

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***Upcoming events & courses***
1st International Symposium on Hepatitis care in substance users
Registration deadline: July 1, 2009
Dates: September 24-25, 2009
Place: Zurich, Switzerland

Viral hepatitis is an increasing cause for morbidity and mortality in substance users. Rates of adequate screening and therapy need to be improved in this largest risk group. 1st International Symposium on Hepatitis care in substance users will take place in Zurich, Switzerland on September 24-25, 2009. It will give the opportunity of international exchange between colleagues engaged in this field and of finding optimal ways to provide hepatitis care to people with problematic substance use.
Participants are invited to submit abstracts. All accepted abstracts will be published in English in a special edition of Suchtmedizin in Forschung und Praxis. Abstracts for the symposium can only be submitted online by June 15, 2009.

To participate in the symposium a registration fee of 200 euros is taken. Deadline to submit your online registration form is July 1, 2009.
 
For more information, please visit http://www.arud.ch/symposium/.

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***Upcoming events & courses***
1st German Swiss Austrian congress on AIDS: SOEDAK
Dates: June 24-27, 2009
Place: St Gallen, Switzerland

1st German-Austrian-Swiss AIDS-Congress SÖDAK 2009 will take place on June 24-27, 2009 in St Gallen, Switzerland. SÖDAK focuses on interdisciplinary discussions involving basic and clinical science, psychosocial aspects, prevention and epidemiology of immune deficiency syndrome.

If you would like to participate in the conference, please submit you article online in either English or German. Newest research data can be submitted until April 1-15, 2009. All accepted abstracts will be published in a supplement of the European Journal of Medical Research.

For more information please visit www.soedak2009.com.

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***Upcoming events & courses***
5th European Conference on clinical and Social Research on AIDS and Drugs
Registration deadline: February 14, 2009
Dates: April 28-30, 2009
Place: Vilnius, Lithuania

5th European Conference on Clinical and Social Research on AIDS and Drugs, will be held on April 28-30, 2009 in Vilnius. The aim of the conference is to provide information on recent developments in the field of HIV medicine on the Methods and Results of Social and Behavioural Research on AIDS and related issues. It also serves to strengthen European networking on HIV/AIDS and related issues. Issues concerning Clinical, Social Research on AIDS and Drugs and related issues will be addressed during the conference.

English is the Official Language of the meeting. Young scientists, health/social workers aged 35 or less on October 1, 2008, NGOs, youth, PLWHA organizations, practicians, new EU members, candidates and Eastern Europe countries may apply for scholarship.
 
Registration deadline is February 14, 2009.

For more information, please visit www.aidsvilnius2009.com.
 
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***Upcoming events & courses***
International Conference 'Prisons and Health Protection' to be held in Madrid
Dates: October 29-30, 2009
Place: Madrid, Spain

During 29-30 October 2009 the International Conference 'Prisons and Health Protection' will take place in Madrid, Spain. The Conference will mainly focus on the prevention of blood borne viruses and other communicable diseases in prisons, but will also include other major topics regarding prison health protection. An optional visit to a Spanish prison will be organized on 31 October 2009.
 
The 2-day International Conference will be organized by a number of (inter)national partners including WHO-HIPP, the Collaborating Centre for Prison Health, the Spanish Ministry of Health, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.
 
Unlike previous years, participation in the International Conference will be open for public and a registration fee will be charged. The conference is primarily aimed at (prison) health professionals, professionals working within the criminal justice system, researchers and policy makers. The official languages of the conference will be English, Russian and Spanish.
 
For more information please check the website: http://www.euro.who.int/prisons.  
 
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***Upcoming events & courses***
20th International Summer School on Human Rights
Registration deadline: February 21, 2009
Dates: June 20-27, 2009
Place: Warsaw, Poland

Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights is organizing the 20th International Summer School on Human Rights. The School will be held in Warsaw-Miedzeszyn, Poland, between 20 and 27 June 2009.

The School is intended for human rights activists, university teachers and representatives of institutions from all levels of public administration dealing with human rights issues from Central, Eastern European and CIS countries. English and Russian are the working languages of our Summer School. Participants (65 people in total) will be chosen by a selection committee on a competitive basis. Out of 65 participants, 30 can attend the School free of charge.
Should you be interested in our offer, please submit an application pack consisting of:
-an application form
-a one-page curriculum vitae
-a letter of reference from your organization/employer

Please send the application pack by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by post to:

Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights
11 Zgoda str. 00 018 Warsaw, POLAND

The closing date for Summer School applications is 21 February 2009. For more information and to get the application form, go to: http://www.hfhrpol.waw.pl/news196-en.html

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***Upcoming events & courses***
Training opportunities from EACS
Application deadline: February, 2009

The European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) is a not-for-profit group of European physicians, clinicians and researchers in the field of HIV / AIDS. Currently it provides 3 training options: the 7th Advanced HIV Course, the Medical Exchange Programme and One Year Fellowship Programme.

European physicians in charge of clinical care of HIV positive patients are offered either a one-month or a four-month training (Medical Exchange Programme) or a one-year stay (One Year Fellowship Programme) in one of our selected European HIV Clinical Centres. In both cases scholarships are provided. Knowledge of English is essential. For more details please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

European Advanced HIV Course will be held on September 7-10, 2009 in Montpellier, France. It is an annual course on Antiretroviral Therapy and Comprehensive Care for people living with HIV/AIDS, focused on the clinical management of HIV. A limited number of scholarships is available for participants from developing countries. The course is intended for physicians managing HIV infection, having a basic knowledge of it and having a good understanding of English. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

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***Upcoming events & courses***
Call for Abstracts for 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention
Dates: 19-22 July, 2009
Place: Cape Town, South Africa
Registration deadline: February 25, 2009

International AIDS Society (IAS) announces online abstract submission for the 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2009) to be held in Cape Town, South Africa on 19-22 July 2009.

As the fifth conference in this series, IAS 2009 will continue its strong emphasis on basic, clinical and biomedical prevention science. For the first time, the scientific programme will include a fourth track on Operations Research. This newest feature underscores the need to closely evaluate the individual and societal impact of the roll-out of HIV treatment and prevention programmes throughout the world.
 
Abstracts may be submitted in one of four tracks:
Track A: Basic Sciences
Track B: Clinical Sciences
Track C: Biomedical Prevention
Track D: Operations Research
 
The abstract submission deadline is 25 February 2009. Click to submit your abstract.

For more information please visit: www.ias2009.org

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***Upcoming events & courses***
International Workshop and Conference on Networks Science 2009
Applications deadline: March 31, 2009
Place: Venice, Italy
Dates: June 29 - July 3, 2009

International Workshop and Conference on Networks Science (NETSCI) is an annual conference that will be held at the Istituto Veneto di Scienze Lettere ed Arti, Venice, Italy, from June 29 to July 3, 2009.

The conference focuses on novel directions in network research from various areas of biology, computer and information sciences, social science, systems engineering and might be relevant for those interested in linking RDS or chain referral recruitment methods to more fundamental (modeling) network research. The conference will be preceded by a workshop (June 29-30).

Registration fee is 250 euros. Deadline for submitting applications: March 31, 2009.

For more information please visit www.netsci09.net.

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***Vacancies***
ITPC seeks an International Coordinator
Application deadline: February 16, 2009

The International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) is a worldwide coalition of people living with HIV and their supporters and advocates.

ITPC seeks an International Coordinator who would be responsible for:

- Coordinating the development and implementation of policy, advocacy and capacity-building programs across the organisation,
- Managing finances, raising resources and reporting to donors,
- Managing staff and volunteers,
- Ensuring good communication, accountability and transparency across all programs.

Candidate should have:

- At least five years of experience in program management, staff supervision, budget oversight and communications,
- At least four years of experience in rights-based advocacy,
- Work experience in developing countries is essential,
- Experience in community mobilization and network development,
- Experience in fundraising,
- Excellent analytical, financial, management and evaluation skills,
- Knowledge of the global HIV epidemic and its affected populations.

To apply, please download the application form and full job description from www.itpcglobal.org. CVs will not be considered. Email your completed application with cover letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 16 February 2009.

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***Vacancies***
International HIV/AIDS Alliance is looking for country director in Myanmar
Application deadline: February 11, 2009

International HIV/AIDS Alliance is currently recruiting for the post of Country Director in Myanmar.

The mission of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance is to support communities to play a full and effective role in the AIDS response. Since 1994, the Alliance and its partners have supported over 3,000 projects, in over 40 countries, reaching millions of people. The Alliance has been working in Myanmar since 2004 and currently supports over 30 local NGOs/CBOs to respond to HIV/AIDS.

For more details on this post, including Job Description and Person Specification please visit: www.aidsalliance.org/sw7320.asp. Application deadline is February 11, 2009.

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***Vacancies***
Job Opportunity at VANDU: Administrative Director
Application deadline: February 11, 2009

The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) is in its eleventh year of providing drug user-based outreach, support and educational services for people who use illegal drugs in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. VANDU has a membership of 2000-plus.

VANDU is currently seeking an Administrative Director to share in the development, coordination, management and fundraising responsibilities at VANDU.

Key Duties and Responsibilities include overseeing of VANDU projects and programs, hiring, training and providing ongoing leadership and support to project staff and others.

To apply for this position email your resume and cover letter until February 11, 2009 to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax necessary documents to 604-683-6199.

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***Vacancies***
ECDC seeks for two experts in the field of HIV/AIDS, STI and/or hepatitis B&C;
Application deadline: February 16, 2009

European Centre for Disease Prevention and control is looking for two experts in the field of HIV/AIDS, STI and/or hepatitis B&C.; The centre is located in Stockholm, Sweden. Its main source of funding is a subsidy from EU general budget.

The Vacancy note can be found by following this link: http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/Job_opportunities/Temporary_agents/

Deadline for application is February 16, 2009.

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***Vacancies***
Legal Policy Research Centre provides position for Legal Analyst
Application deadline: February 20, 2009

Legal Policy Research Centre, based in Kazakhstan, is a non-profit organization that provides innovative policy-level advice in the sphere of legal reform.

Currently LPRC is looking for Legal Analyst who would be fluent in English and have a proven track of analytical research in law/political science.

To apply for this position please send your СV and letter of interest to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it until 20 February 2009.

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***Publications***
Report ARV4IDUs in Eastern and Central Europe
Source: EATG
January 23, 2009

As the World Health Organization (WHO) and other groups have shown, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is effective in treating injecting drug users (IDUs) for HIV – provided they receive adequate support. The effectiveness of ART has been demonstrated for both active and former IDUs, including those on opioid substitution therapy (OST). The benefits are manifold and include cost-effectively improving both individual and public health, reducing HIV transmission and honouring everyone’s right to health.
 
ARV4IDUs in Central and Eastern Europe - Barriers to access – and ways to overcome them
examines the barriers that Central and Eastern European IDUs face in accessing ART, and it highlights some of the ways that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and governments have found to overcome these obstacles.

Download ARV4IDUs in Central and Eastern Europe in  English or  Russian.

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***Publications***
Publications from Yalta Summit on Opioid Substitution Therapy
January 26, 2009

The International AIDS Society (IAS) convened a scientific leadership summit of senior narcologists, psychiatrists and infectious disease specialists from 7 countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), from 17-18 October 2008, in Yalta, Ukraine. The purpose of the summit was to mobilize action on expanding access to opioid substitution therapy (OST) for injecting drug users (IDU). The primary objectives of the meeting were to review the current state of HIV among IDUs in the region, the body of evidence supporting the use of OST and country experiences with this intervention.

The following documents are available:
- The final “Yalta Summit” Report in  English and  Russian
- The Mapping of the availability of OST in select Eastern European and Central Asian countries in        English and  Russian.

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***Publications***
An overview by IHRA and HRW: International Support for Harm Reduction
January 19, 2009

International Harm Reduction Association and Human Rights Watch prepared an overview of multi-lateral endorsement of harm reduction policy and practice. “International Support for Harm Reduction” is a useful manual for those engaged in advocacy work around harm reduction, drug policy, and the human rights of people who use drugs.

The document provides UN legal and policy statements on harm reduction, international reviews of evidence and overall global state of harm reduction in a list of countries supporting harm reduction in policy and/or practice.

English version of  International Support for Harm Reduction is available online.

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***Publications***
Human Rights Watch prepared World Report 2009
Source: HRW
January 13, 2009

The 19th annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. It reflects extensive investigative work undertaken in 2008 by Human Rights Watch staff, usually in close partnership with human rights activists in the country in question.

In the report you can find information on condition of human rights in countries that belong to our region. Report highlights the situation in Eastern Europe: while Russia has made considerable progress expanding access to antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV - it still refuses to make methadone maintenance therapy available to drug-dependent people. Moreover, in Ukraine human rights abuses fuel the HIV/AIDS epidemic: Ukrainian NGOs report continuing police interference with the delivery of HIV prevention services and drug users are frequently discriminated against receiving antiretroviral treatment.

To read more on situation of human rights in the region click here for the full version of the World Report 2009 in English.

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***Publications***
IHRA Release New Report on Harm Reduction and Human Rights
Source: IHRA
January 26, 2009

In January 2009, IHRA’s HR2 programme released a report entitled ‘Harm Reduction and Human Rights: The Global Response to Drug-Related HIV Epidemics’. This report provides a concise overview of the global situation in terms of drug-related HIV epidemics worldwide, with a particular focus on the regions of Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub Saharan Africa.

The report also examines harm reduction within the context of international human rights law, addressing issues such as the right to health, abusive law enforcement practices and their effect on access to HIV prevention efforts and discrimination faced by people who use drugs in accessing HIV anti retroviral therapy.

  Click here to view the report in English.

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***Publications***
WHO and UNAIDS resource kit for writing Global Fund HIV proposals for round 9

The resource kit has been developed jointly by WHO and UNAIDS to provide specific guidance in planning for and writing Global Fund HIV proposals for Round 9. The kit is primarily intended for use by WHO, UNAIDS and other UN staff and consultants as they support country teams in developing Round 9 HIV proposals.

The content of the resource kit is a compilation of existing guidance developed by different technical agencies including UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and the World Health Organization. It includes a number of technical guidance notes on cross-cutting issues relevant in the design of any HIV programme. There are also a number of practical tools included on managing the proposal development process including a planning matrix and costing tool.

Click here to see abstracts of the WHO and UNAIDS resource kit in English.

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***Publications***
ITPC issues a CCM advocacy report
The research   Making the Global Fund country coordinating mechanisms work through full engagement of civil society with on-the-ground research in Argentina, Cambodia, Cameroon, India, Jamaica, Romania and Uganda provides interesting data on civil society involvement in Global Fund supported programs.

In the results of the research show that the most important role of civil society  in Global Fund programming is at the implementation level, followed by proposal development. It has the least involvement in monitoring and evaluation, where its role is still minimal.

The report is also available online in English: http://www.aidstreatmentaccess.org/
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***Research***
Rebound of overdose mortality in the European Union 2003-2005: findings from the 2008 EMCDDA Annual Report
Source: Eurosurveillance
January 12, 2009

Drug overdose remains an important cause of death among young adults in Europe. In the European Union reported ODs outnumber, at present, other reported important causes of death attributable to drug use such as mortality due to HIV infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) transmitted through sharing injection equipment.
Between 2000 and 2003, the number of reported ODs decreased in 21 of the 24 countries examined, the total reported number of deaths dropping from 8,275 to 6,350 (a 23% decline). However, a subsequent increase of ODs was observed between 2003 and 2005 in 16 of the 24 countries, with the total number of deaths increasing from 6,350 to 6,887 (an 8.5% increase).
The factors influencing these trends are not well understood. The number of ODs in a community is related to the size of the population at risk (problem drug users, in particular opiate users), but also to important risk factors such as injecting drug use and polydrug use as well as intensity and regularity of use. In addition, the state of health of drug users such as deteriorated liver and respiratory functions could influence the risk of suffering a fatal overdose.
This worrying trend should be monitored more in-depth and further investigations are needed in order to clarify the factor driving these increases and inform policies and interventions aimed at reducing these deaths.

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***Research***
New York Health Department Links heavy Drinking to HIV
Source: IHRA
January 13, 2009

According to a major new report from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, people who ‘binge drink’ tend to have many more sex partners – putting themselves at an increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases. The report – entitled ‘Alcohol Use and Risky Sex in New York City’ – also claims that heavy drinking may also be responsible for increased HIV transmission, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM).

In the study, around 15% of adults (around 883,000 people) reported ‘binge drinking’ (defined as five or more drinks on one occasion) at least once a month. These ‘binge drinkers’ were 50% more likely than non-binge drinkers (and three times more likely than non-drinkers) to report having two to four sexual partners in the past year. In addition, 24% of the surveyed men who have sex with men (MSM) reported ‘binge drinking’, and these people were twice as likely to report having five or more sex partners in the past year. 27% of MSM said that they were under the influence of alcohol during their last sexual encounter, and drinking also reduced the chances that a man having receptive anal intercourse would be protected by a condom (from 86% down to 65%).

The new report raises important questions about the links between alcohol use and HIV – something that has received relatively little attention in terms of research and policy.

  Click to view the “Alcohol Use and Risky Sex in NYC” report in English.

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***Research***
Early antiretroviral therapy reduces mortality among HIV-infected infants
Source: www.pubmed.gov

In countries with a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), HIV infection contributes significantly to infant mortality. Perinatal HIV Research Unit, based in South Africa, investigated antiretroviral-treatment strategies in the Children with HIV Early Antiretroviral Therapy trial. Dueing the investigation twenty infants in the deferred-therapy group (16%) died versus 10 infants in the early-therapy groups (4%). The overall results have shown that early HIV diagnosis and early antiretroviral therapy reduced early infant mortality by 76% and HIV progression by 75%.

Please find more information on the research in English or Russian.

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***Research***
JIAPAC Call for Papers
January 16, 2009

The Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC) is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed, MEDLINE-indexed journal dedicated to publishing original manuscripts in the field of HIV medicine.
Currently JIAPAC is issuing a general Call for Papers and encourages the submission of manuscripts related to addressing clinical challenges in HIV medicine and overcoming barriers to the delivery of HIV care and treatment by following topics: Managing Antiretroviral Drug Resistance, Managing HIV Coinfection with Hepatitis B Virus or Hepatitis C Virus, Promoting/Enhancing Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy and others. To see the full list of themes please go to http://jiapac.sagepub.com.

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This information prepared by the secretariat of the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network. The news digest is released once per month in two languages – English and Russian and is made available through email listservs and through the Network website. Use of information is allowed on the assumption that the link to the source is provided. All feedback and news are welcomed at e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .