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UN and Harm Reduction: Country Perspective from Thailand

UN and Harm Reduction: Country Perspective from Thailand. Karyn Kaplan Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group (TTAG) 15 August 2006. Thailand . >1 million HIV+ 550,000 died of AIDS 17,000 new infections/yr (+) 83% reduction est. new infections Generic ARV, universal access policy (-)

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UN and Harm Reduction: Country Perspective from Thailand

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  1. UN and Harm Reduction: Country Perspective from Thailand Karyn Kaplan Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group (TTAG) 15 August 2006

  2. Thailand >1 million HIV+ 550,000 died of AIDS 17,000 new infections/yr (+) • 83% reduction est. new infections • Generic ARV, universal access policy (-) • IDU, MSM, migrants • legal/social status

  3. Declared victory – 2,275 EJEs, police arrest quotas and rewards/punishment, arbitrary blacklisting, false arrest and allegation, no due process, charged as dealers when users, forced confession, forced treatment (military boot camp), stigma and HIV risk exacerbated, no investigation or justice

  4. Thai Drug Users’ Network (TDN)

  5. Task Force/Harm Reduction Working Group/Thai Working Group on HIV and Drug Risk Reduction • Condom promotion, OI, IDU task forces (WB 2000) • TDN advocacy • BATS (AIDS Div.) - Secretariat ONCB, UNAIDS (chair/facilitate), MOPH Med. Div., DDC,TDN, NGOs • PAF IAC(GFATM, incr. membership MOJ/Univ., lawyers)

  6. 2nd Joint Plan of Action 2006-07 • 2007-2011 priorities for National AIDS Plan -ensure safe injecting/sexual practices -enable supportive policy environment -ensure better care/tx for IDU • Targets -reduce IDU HIV prevalence, new infections -methadone maintenance in 30 baht scheme -ART guidelines for IDU -Public awareness and national forums

  7. UN support for community • PAF – IAC participation, education/advocacy • Regional Drugs/HIV Task Force • Translation of relevant documents • Vocal support of TDN organizing • Promote involvement in policymaking

  8. Challenges • Lack of consensus on definition of harm reduction, vision for collaboration • Lack of interest and conviction in policy change or significance • Lack of leadership and coordination • Lack of expertise within UN on drug/HIV issues (ex., MMT guidelines) • Inconsistent attendance, hopelessness under current PM • UN “divide the cake” attitude

  9. Recommendations • Impact assessments of drug wars, restrictive policies • Vocal advocacy for comprehensive, rights- and evidence-based approach • Resolve own internal conflict on harm reduction approaches, how to work together (WHO/UNAIDS/UNODC etc.) • Develop expertise and indicators (IDU-driven HIV region) • Increase funding to community • Promote human rights despite political environment

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