The [him] moderator would like to post the paper on which this abstract is based if it is emailed to [him]. HIV prevalence among people who undertake VCT is a poor indication of prevalence among any population as VCT consumers are a self-selected group. High HIV prevalence among the others may mean that few have yet died and this is a new, rapidly changing, or evolving epidemic requiring intensive harm reduction activities.

[him] moderator

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"One way ticket to hell" for young migrant drug users in Myanmar
Thinzar Tun, Willy De Maere, Thein Han

Issue: Being stuck in poverty is not the only curse for young migrant drug users in Myanmar. High HIV prevalence and no ART availability are all too often jeopardizing their future and give rise to untimely deaths.

Setting: Pharkant, situated in Kachin State, Northern Myanmar, is a renowned jade mining place where many young people from across Myanmar, driven by poverty, come with dreams of riches. All types of drugs (Heroin, ATS, opium) are easily available with competitive prices in user-friendly shooting galleries run by competing dealers. Instead of riches, the majority of young people only find drugs for a variety of reasons (physical/mental pain, hopelessness…) ending up with chronic addiction, financial challenges and severe health problems. HIV prevalence among IDUs in the area is 50-70%; health care systems to address their needs are non-existent.

Project: Asian Harm Reduction Network implements since 2008 low threshold DIC in the area. They include medical interventions (PHC, Symptomatic Drug Treatment, STI, TB treatment), counseling, NSEP at shooting galleries through contacts with the dealers, outreach, health education, recreational activities…

Outcomes: During the implementation period, AHRN achieved significant coverage of male and female (I)DUs; over 6,656 (I)DUs accessed services, monthly 150 new clients access medical care; 135,000 N/S are distributed monthly, 429 clients were screened for TB and 55 received anti-TB treatment. But HIV prevalence remains high at 40% among newly tested clients and there are no ART provisions. In addition, many have no money to go back home and end their youthful life riddled by disease. And still more young people keep migrating to the area chasing fake dreams forced by poverty in a further degrading national socio-economic climate; no paradise for them but a one way ticket to hell? How more have to die while Government, donors and civil society look on…

http://ihraconferences.com/2010/index.php?page=browseSessions&presentations=show&form_session=24&abstracts=show