Stop the HIV epidemic in Romania

During the last decade efforts to reduce HIV prevalence among drug users in Romania, including needle exchange and opioid substitution programs, were funded almost entirely by international organizations such as the European Union, United Nations and Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, despite it being the responsibility of the Romanian government to provide public health services for its citizens.

Since 2010 financial support from international organizations was drastically reduced, forcing 4 out of 6 organizations providing needle exchange and opioid substitution treatment in Romania to shut down. This resulted in a severe reduction in the number of vulnerable people who have access to essential services and a sharp increase in HIV infections. However, the Romanian government still refuses to provide financial contribution.

Now even the remaining programs will be shut down and drug users will be left without necessary services which will result in a dramatic rise of new HIV and other blood-borne virus infections, drug-related deaths and crime. The overwhelmingly negative human, social and financial cost of this neglect will be paid for years to come.

Click here to sign the petition.

Keep up-to-date with drug policy developments by subscribing to the IDPC Monthly Alert.