ID: 171

Type of submission: Oral

Conference track: Practice

Topics: Creating Enabling Environments; Punitive Laws and Law Enforcement

Presenting author: Dr Htwe Kyu

Presenting author biography:

Dr Htwe Kyu is a founding member and Program coordinator of the local NGO Sao Mon which aims to raise awareness among police forces and community members about drug dependency, harm reduction and HIV-related issues. Previously, Dr Htwe Kyu worked with UNODC Myanmar Care International and MSF

Drug use and HIV in Myanmar: embedding harm reduction in law enforcement practices

Dr Htwe Kyu, Khyn Hla Munn, Geraldine Cazorla, Dr Sai Lone Tip, Eamonn Murphy

Issue-
Scaling up needle and syringe programmes is urgently needed to tackle HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Myanmar. Despite a growing awareness of the role of police in reducing the impact of HIV, a disconnect remains between law enforcement policy and practice, resulting in police crackdowns that hinder PWID access to harm reduction (HR) services.

Setting-
Accounting for 28% of new infections due to the sharing of non-sterile equipment, PWID are most affected by HIV in Myanmar. In Kachin and northern Shan States, nearly one in two PWID tested HIV-positive in some townships.

Project-
With funding support from 3MDG, in late 2014 Sao Mon, a local NGO, and UNAIDS initiated a series of trainings on 'Drug use and HIV' for police and government staff. The in-service training curriculum was designed by a member of the Law Enforcement and HIV Network, who formerly served as a police officer in Australia. It provides evidence-informed and practical guidance to embed HR in law enforcement practice. Trainings were conducted monthly in high drug-use areas and involved a broad range of local stakeholders to encourage multisectoral cooperation.

Outcomes-
Between September 2014 and October 2016, nearly 1000 police and government staff were trained which resulted in: substantial gain in knowledge about HIV, drug dependency and HR (average pre-test at 54.6% and post-test at 83.2%, yielding a difference of +28.2%); better understanding of how police activities can negatively impact the delivery of HR services; and increased awareness of health service providers where drug users may be referred. Involving different stakeholders contributed to strengthening of community linkages, improving coordination and creating a climate of mutual understanding. As a result, HR partners reported fewer difficulties when conducting activities. The approach taken to involve law enforcement has helped to strengthen rather than hinder the HIV response.