Better access to services for adolescents who use drugs in Ukraine

Ukraine remains the country with the highest HIV prevalence in Europe and Central Asia. Young people who use drugs (PWUD) are one of the key populations with the highest risk of contracting HIV (33%) (UNICEF, 2011). According to UNICEF, there are 15,000 adolescent people who inject drugs (PWID) in Ukraine (UNICEF/ UISR, 2011). Only 24% of adolescent IDUs are reached by prevention programmes. Due to the war in Ukraine, access to HIV prevention, care, and support services has worsened.

This Bridging the Gaps study aims to define circumstances and effective interventions that contribute to reaching adolescent and young people who use drugs as well as improving their adherence to HIV prevention efforts.

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