Assessment of situation and response of drug use and its harms in the Middle East and North Africa

Ever since its foundation in 2007, the Middle East and North Africa Harm Reduction Association (MENAHRA) has worked to support harm reduction based on scientific data. Unfortunately, in our region, there are a limited number of empirical studies available besides the bio-behavioral studies conducted by individual countries. There is an apparent weakness in the epidemic surveillance systems for the proportions of HIV prevalence. This gap reflects a lack of priority in the region in providing harm reduction services. It also confirms that sharing needles is the second cause for HIV/AIDS transmission in the MENA region.

This study arises from within MENAHRA's course of work to search for the reality of the situation with an empirical approach in order to increase the level of response to HIV/AIDS in the region.

This report should allow decision-makers and civil society organizations to expand their knowledge in regards to the needs and weaknesses of available services by guiding programs in becoming more focused on harm reduction in the region. Therefore, this report shall assist stakeholders in providing a wider scope of HIV/AIDS prevention services among people who inject drugs.

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