Basic principle

Harm reduction is based on the principle that every substance user has the ability to intervene in his or her use. Every substance user also has the ability to unlock, strengthen and develop this potential.

Africa

In December 2009 Mainline researched the living circumstances of drug users in the Kenian cities of Nairobi and Mombassa. Unfortunately there is insufficient attention for harm reduction and the rights of drug users, most of whom smoke heroin.

Indonesia

In East Kalimantan, HIV and AIDS are primarily spreading among drug users. This is mainly due to the lack of healthcare and infrastructure, and the lack of government intervention. Fortunately, a number of important steps have now been taken to reduce the number of HIV infections on East Kalimantan.

Since the beginning of 2006 Mainline has supported the local organisation LARAS (Lembaga Advokasi dan Rehabilitasi Sosial). LARAS works in the areas of Bontang and Samarinda. In addition to HIV prevention, the work focuses on providing care for sex works, drug users and HIV-infected users. By the end of 2008 the organisation had reached over 2,000 (former) drug users, and handed out condoms to over 10,000 people. As a result of this project HIV-infected drug users in prisons now receive HIV inhibitors. Furthermore, a large number of sex workers have undergone voluntary HIV testing.

Until the project ends by end-2010, LARAS will continue to provide the following activities:

preventive information
improving access to medical facilities
making HIV-related medicines more accessible
improving the general situation of HIV-infected drug users in prisons
preventing HIV being transferred from mothers to children

Bhutan

Mainline recently researched the situation of drug users in Thimpu, the main capital of Bhutan. We gave several short training to a variety of organisations that work with drug users.

Contact

Care providers who have good, professional contact with their clients, generally observe better results, and take more pleasure in their work. This Mainline training teaches care professionals the specific skills required to establish good contact with substance users.