On 27th April 2009, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Libya was proud to collaborate with its long-standing partners, the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), in the launch of a workshop to train people working in outreach and behaviour change for injecting drug users. The workshop aimed to inform workers in this field on HIV/AIDS prevention, to provide information on modern methods of drug rehabilitation and to offer a forum for the exchange of experiences and best-practices for working with injecting drug users.

Ramanathan Balakrishnan, UNDP Libya Deputy Resident Representative, opened the workshop with the reminder that “targeting HIV/AIDS initiatives to injecting drug users is a top priority. Not only are HIV prevalence rates highest amongst this demographic, but if decisive action is not taken, to alter drug-taking habits, to promote safer drug use and to encourage individuals to seek treatment, the effects could be catastrophic.”

In countries such as Libya, where the overall prevalence of HIV is low, it is advisable to direct prevention and awareness raising initiatives to groups with a higher level of exposure to HIV. In the absence of effective action, HIV rates among injecting drug users has the potential to increase rapidly. For example, a UNAIDS study in Karachi, Pakistan showed that the prevalence of HIV amongst drug-taking populations in the city increased from 1% in early 2004, to 26% by March 2005.

A key focus of HIV prevention methods, highlighted in the workshop, is reducing the social stigma attached to HIV. Research has consistently shown that in countries where HIV is socially stigmatised, it is harder to reduce transmission rates. Injecting drug users are less likely to seek HIV testing or advice on the virus, for fear of their condition being made public. Fostering an environment of trust and confidentiality is crucial to ensuring that individuals have access to the medical attention and advice they both need and deserve.

The participants showed a keenness to explore new methods of drug rehabilitation and to discuss HIV prevention techniques amongst this community. One attendee, Adnan Erhoma, who works for the Anti-Narcotics Body, expressed his belief that the key area for improvement with regards to HIV prevention and rehabilitation of injecting drug users is ensuring that staff are better qualified. He would like to see a greater number of workshops organised, to exchange methods, success stories and experiences.

It was a sentiment that was echoed by Dr Rajab Abojnah, a high-profile executive manager of a Libyan Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Counter Drugs in Libya. He started his NGO whilst working as a psychologist at Girgaresh Hospital in Tripoli. At that time there were no specialised rehabilitation centres for drug users, so he began campaigning for drug awareness and prevention campaigns, as well as improved rehabilitation for drug users. His NGO now works closely with government ministries to implement joint campaigns.

The level of audience engagement with the issues brought up at the workshop, combined with evidence of sustained civil society involvement, marks a positive advance in Libya’s efforts to reduce HIV transmission rates amongst vulnerable groups. UNDP Libya and NCID are determined to build upon these gains, to work to promote, strengthen and harmonize HIV/AIDS responses.

In January 2009, UNDP Libya signed a project with NCID to support its capacities and enhance its ability to strengthen the multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS. The project signing followed an extended period of co-operation between the two agencies, as they worked together on a series of innovative workshop to raise awareness on HIV amongst key social groups, including religious leaders, the media, the judiciary, young people and people living with HIV.

UNDP and NCID’s close collaboration is set to continue, with further awareness raising events planned in the upcoming months. UNDP Libya is determined to take a lead in promoting greater social engagement with issues surrounding HIV AIDS, to ensure greater protection of vulnerable groups, to overcome social stigmas attached to the virus and to guarantee medical treatment to all those who need it. This April’s workshop marked an important step in this direction.