Media Release

First ever methadone trial inAfghanistan spectacularly improves health and decreases crime, Kabuldoctors tell the 22nd International Harm Reduction Conference in Beirut,Lebanon.

Study of female drug users in Tehran show nearly half have been imprisoned and that 100percent are depressed, Iranian researchers tell the 22nd International Harm Reduction Conference in Beirut Lebanon

Monday, April 4 (Beirut, Lebanon)--The first ever trial of methadone in Afghanistan has dramatically increased the general and mental health of its patients, dramatically reduced criminal activity and greatly improved social integration, doctors workingon Afghanistan’s first ever methadone trial will report at the 22nd International Harm Reduction Conference in Afghanistan on Wednesday April 6. The conference opened last night, Sunday April 3.

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is on the verge of a significant HIV/AIDS epidemic. Numbers of people using heroin has risen 140 per cent since 2005. HIV prevalence has doubled among people who inject drugs in the past three years.Hepatitis C prevalence rates are just as alarming (40.3% in 2009 compared to 36.6% in 2006). The UN estimates that there are one million drug users in Afghanistan.

“We are running out of time”, said Dr Zemary Amin, coordinator of the methadone program run by Médecins du Monde in Kabul. “This trial show that harm reduction programs are vital to preventing an HIV /AIDS epidemic taking a stranglehold in Afghanistan.”

Key findings of the study are:

  • Retention rates in the pilot program of 71 patients after 12months was 74.5 per cent
  • After 12 monthsthe self perception of the general health status improved from 5.29 to 7.43 (scale is 1=worst; 10=best)
  • Reported criminal record decreased from 1.47 to 0.24 (scale is 16=worst; 0=best)
  • Mental Health burden was reduced from 5.9 to 4.1(scale is 20=worst; 0=best).
  • Social Integration improved from 8.33 to 10.89 (scale is 0=worst; 16=best)

Conference highlights for Monday April 4:

  • A women’s drug clinic in Iran: Improvements in drug use, social functioning and low HIV / HCV seroincidence

In 2007 a Women’s Drug Clinic was established with methadone, sexual and general health care and NSP to improve their health. We aimed to build capacity among drug workers and researchers in Iran. The study aimed to monitor women in treatment and those who left treatment early.

  • The experience of implementing harm reduction in Indonesia

Dr Kemal Siregar, Deputy of Program Development, Indonesian National AIDS Commission, Indonesia

By 2006, unsafe drug injecting contributed a significant proportion (48 - 50%) of reported HIV infections in Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country. Indonesia’s response was hampered by laws criminalising the carrying of needles and syringes and controlled substances and the resistance of some in government to change existing regulations and attitudes toward the injecting of drugs.By 2009, 281 NSPs and 54 OST were established in 16 provinces. In 2009 a new drug law recognised the human rights of PWIDs including the right to treatment, rehabilitation and protection from prosecution for drug use. Reported new HIV infection among PWIDs declined from 1517 (2006) to 1156 (2009); HIV prevalence among PWIDs decreased from 48%- 50% (2006) to 39% - 42% (2009)

  • Alcohol related violence: a real but as yet undefined obstacle to development in the Pacific region

Robert Power, Principal for Disease Prevention, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.

The Pacific was virtually alcohol free until twenty years ago. Our recent rapid assessments in Papua New Guinea and Fiji explore the relationship between alcohol consumption and poly-substance use and violence.

  • Alcohol drinking environment and sexual risk among underage young Thai

Bangorn Sirirojn, Research Institute for Health Sciences, ChiangMaiUniversity, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Background –Thailand’s per capita alcohol consumption is fifth highest in the world and has tripled over the past 14 years and Thai youth have high rates of alcohol consumption. In response, the Thai Government enacted an alcohol control law in 2008 that included increasing the alcohol purchasing age from 18 to 20 years, restriction on alcohol promotion, sale and advertising. We conducted a qualitative study among under-aged youth to examine the nature of alcohol consumption and the relationship between alcohol and sexual risk behaviours.

Notes to Editors:

Still pictures of the Afghanistan methadone trial can be downloaded at

Audiovisual of theAfghanistan methadone trial can be downloaded at

Further information:

For the latest information about the conference program, abstracts as well as information on media accreditation and online registration, visit

Media Contact (in Beirut)

Michael Kessler

Harm Reduction 2011 Media Relations

Lebanese mobile: +961 719 52635

Media Centre Landline: Call+961 (0)1- 496 666 and ask to betransferred to the Harm Reduction Media room extensions 5013 and 5014.

Email:

Skype: mickgpi

About the Conference Organisers and Partners

IHRAThe International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) is a leading international non governmental organisation promoting pragmatic, health-based approaches to psychoactive substances. It works to reduce drug related harms by promoting evidence based public health policy and practices and human rights based approaches to drug policy through an integrated program of research, analysis, advocacy and collaboration with civil society partners. The International Harm Reduction Association's vision is a world in which individuals and communities benefit from drug laws, policies and practices that promote health, dignity and human rights.

Conference Consortium The Conference Consortium was established in 2005 by a group of non-governmental organisations, trades unions, professional associations and national bodies. This unique collaboration, supported by an experienced staff team and operating in a similar way to a social enterprise, is dedicated to organising conferences, seminars, exhibitions and other events promoting the most appropriate, relevant and effective policies and practice in response to drug and alcohol problems.The Consortium’s aim is to provide a platform for discussion and debate on policy relating to the overlapping fields of drugs, alcohol and criminal justice and other related issues, such as mental and physical health, employment and homelessness, and it disseminates information on research and good practice in these areas.

SIDCSoins Infirmiers et Développement Communautaire is a Lebanese NGO operating a number of health and development programs on a local as well as on a regional level. Beneficiaries of SIDC’s work include youth, adults, elderly, the general population and vulnerable groups including Drug Users, Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Female Sex Workers (FSW). Main programs include a Nursing Program, HIV/AIDS Program, Drug Program and Youth Program.

MENAHRAThe Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association was set up in 2008 as an initiative of the World Health Organisation in collaboration with the International Harm Reduction Association and funding from the Drosos Foundation. Its mission is to contribute to stabilising and decreasing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the region through addressing the needs of the population of drug users for HIV prevention, treatment and care services

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