The drug war: Fueling the HIV/AIDS pandemic

The global war on drugs is severely jeopardizing the fight against AIDS. Criminalizing drug use drives the HIV pandemic not just among people who use drugs – but also among their families and communities.

Criminalization creates barriers to treatment and encourages unsafe injecting practices. Evidence consistently shows that repressive drug law enforcement practices are strongly associated with higher HIV rates. Fear of arrest drives many people who inject drugs into environments where HIV risks are greatly elevated, and away from HIV testing, prevention and other public health services. Criminalization also erects multiple barriers to both HIV and drug treatment. Research clearly demonstrates that people who use drugs tend to have lower rates of antiretroviral therapy utilization and higher rates of death due to HIV/AIDS.

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