Rapid assessment and response: Preparation for the scale-up of comprehensive harm reduction services in Thailand

This research was part of the CHAMPION IDU Programme, which is under the Global Fund for fighting AIDS, TB and Malaria (Round 8), and was conducted by the Asian Harm Reduction Network in partnership with Thai academic networks from Chiang Mai University, Chulalongkorn University and Prince of Songkla University.

The aim of the investigation was to learn more about injection drug use in order to inform the development of harm reduction services in Thailand. Some findings of interest include the increasing trend towards injection of methamphetamine and the switch to alternative drugs among heroin injectors (such as midazolam, other benzodiazepine drugs, opium and methadone) in response to the short supply and increasing cost of heroin. What is evident across all sites is the urgent need for harm reduction services to prevent the spread of HIV. The report concludes with recommendations for the development and scale-up of harm reduction efforts across the country and for specific sites.