Doctors all over the world are joining IDHDP insisting that health becomes the cornerstone of all future drug policies

According to official data in Brazil there are around 370,000 drug users in the capitals and over 70% of them share injecting equipment. There around 730,000 people living with HIV (UNAIDS) and although, many of the infections are sexually transmitted, risky drug practices such as sharing injecting equipment have been proven to be one of the main drivers of the HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and tuberculosis epidemics all around the world. Of the 47% of injecting drug users with HIV only 23% are on anti-retroviral treatment. Harm reduction programmes are urgently needed– such as needle and syringes exchanges, opioid substitution treatments, and most importantly for this country and region innovative harm reduction measures for crack cocaine users.

“A broad range of harm reduction interventions has proven to be the most effective way in both improving the health of drug users and society as a whole. This is why health must become the cornerstone of all future drug policy. Availability to essential medicines and palliative care must also be a top priority” – stated Dr Chris Ford, Clinical Director of International Doctors for Healthier Drug Policies, a network of more than 700 physicians working for health based drug policy change and the wellbeing of populations.

“We are already witnessing a shift in national and international drug policies towards health-oriented approaches to drug use. At a time when many states, including Brazil, are recognising the importance of health and science-based policies, the medical professionals and particularly doctors should be more vocal and participate with their expertise and experience in the scientific debates to be held ahead of the Special Session of the General Assembly UNGASS on drugs to be held in 2016, IDHDP is calling all physicians wanting a health based approach to the global drug problem to join the organisation” – added Sebastian Saville, Executive Director of IDHDP.

International Doctors for Healthier Drug Policies will be present in Río de Janeiro in the frame of the Global Addiction conference 2014 (from 10th to 12th November). The IDHDP session on the morning of the 11th will focus on the drug problems that are severely affecting the Latin American region, and suggest health-based alternatives. The IDHDP panels will include Dr Gady Zabicky (México), Dr Sergio Sanchez (Chile), Prof Carl Hart (US), Pedro Arenas (Colombia) and Jorge Hernández Tinajero (México).

Read here the article in Portuguese: Médicos afirmam que saúde deve ser central nas políticas de drogas.

Doctors can lead the way to healthier drug policies – join IDHDP now.