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.

Eastern Europe

Mainline works in Georgia, Russia, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine. In Georgia, for example, Mainline works with two partner organisations, ‘Alternative Georgia’ and ‘Tanadgoma’, in efforts to improve the situation of substance users.

Georgië

In principle, every Georgian citizen can be arrested on suspicion of drug use and suspects must undergo a compulsory urine test to prove their innocence. When substance use is uncovered, they receive an extremely high fine or even a jail sentence. This forces drug users underground where their health and wellbeing cannot be monitored. Since 2009, Mainline works with two Georgian partner organisations, ‘Alternative Georgia’ and ‘Tanadgoma’, in efforts to improve the situation. The goal of the cooperation is to improve the rights of substance users in Georgia. To achieve this, Mainline and her partners organise meetings for employees of different government Ministries, Members of Parliament, judges, public prosecutors and high-ranking officials from the police and Corrections Department in the Georgian capital Tbilisi. During the meetings, participants receive information on different ways of developing and implementing drug policy. They also work on problems they encounter in their current work. In addition, Tanadgoma conducts research into the health of (drug using) detainees in prison. Based on the results of this research, Mainline and Tanadgoma develop guidelines to improve the health of prison inmates.

Visit the website of Alternative Georgi a ››

Visit the website of Tanadgoma ››

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.

EU activities

We participate in the European collaboration project Correlation II - European Network Social Inclusion & Health...

Indonesia

Since the beginning of 2006 Mainline has supported the local organisation LARAS which 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.