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.

Moldova

In Moldova, and especially the northern city of Bălţi, hiv initially spread among drug users through the unsafe use of hypodermic needles. By now however, about three quarters of hiv infections are acquired during unsafe sexual contact between heterosexuals. Because of this the attention for drug users seems to decrease. To support substance users in protecting their health, Mainline works with the organisation ‘Youth for the Right to Live, Bălţi Branch.’ Since 1997 this organisation has made efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged youth, substance users and people with hiv. In cooperating with this organisation, Mainline aims at training the employees of Youth for the Right to Live, Bălţi Branch but also at training doctors, nurses and Bălţi police. The training sessions are initially aimed at developing a better referral system for health care facilities in Bălţi and at familiarising substance users as well as medical staff with the methadone substitution programme that started in the city in 2007. With the police we look at how they can enforce the law and at the same time taking into account the needs of substance users. In 2010 Mainline and Youth for the Right to Live, Bălţi Branch will expand their activities in Bălţi.

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.