A ‘step-by-step’ algorithm for the procurement of controlled substances for drug substitution treatment
WHO SEARO WPRO
No: 3/2007
This document was formulated by the United Nations Regional Task Force on Injection Drug Use and HIV/AIDS for Asia and the Pacific supported by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific.
The use of contaminated injection equipment among injecting drug users is among the major forces driving the HIV/AIDS epidemic, contributing about 5-10 per cent of all HIV transmissions world wide. An essential package to prevent HIV transmission from injecting drug use includes needle and syringe programmes, drug substitution treatment, condom programmes, sexually transmitted infection control, HIV/AIDS-related treatment and care, information, education and communication and peer outreach.