'War on drugs' fuelling the hepatitis C epidemic among people who inject drugs..new report
Cinnamon Girl said
Jun 2, 2013
Yes, ironic indeed, Tim, and it`s much the same situation over here. Things will have to change at some point but it`s going to take a huge shift in political will to make it happen, and it wouldn`t be viewed as a popular way of spending public funds. Without a change from short term, short-sighted policies the cost in health provision to the HCV infected drug injecting population is bound to escalate in the long run. It really is a `time bomb` ticking.
I don`t know if you saw it, but I posted a link to this article recently, which shows that Scotland is trying out a more sensible approach (as mentioned in the article).
Jill, What irony, but not a big surprise. Here in the U.S. most politicians and officials know that drug policies have failed, but are loath to consider alternate strategies. At some point in the future 'something' will have to give; already huge inmate populations are very costly to provide health care to. I don't expect to see sterile injection equipment being provided to inmates, not any time soon- not ever, as that would be political suicide.
Approximately 40% of the 3 million people incarcerated here are HCV positive; I don't know if they are included in the overall U.S. HCV stats. or not.
Cinnamon Girl said
Jun 1, 2013
'War on drugs' fuelling the hepatitis C epidemic among people who inject drugs
The global war on drugs has had a disastrous impact on the hepatitis C epidemic, a new report from the Global Commission on Drug Policy shows. The Negative Impact of the War on Drugs on Public Health: The Hidden Hepatitis C Epidemic is backed by seven former world leaders and cites evidence showing that the criminalisation of drug use is fuelling a hepatitis C `viral time bomb`. The report is being launched ahead of the 23rd International Harm Reduction Conference, which will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania starting on 10 Jun
`The war on drugs is a war on common sense,` said Ruth Dreifuss, former president of Switzerland. `The hepatitis C epidemic, totally preventable and curable, is...proof that the drug policy status quo has failed us all miserably.`
Yes, ironic indeed, Tim, and it`s much the same situation over here. Things will have to change at some point but it`s going to take a huge shift in political will to make it happen, and it wouldn`t be viewed as a popular way of spending public funds. Without a change from short term, short-sighted policies the cost in health provision to the HCV infected drug injecting population is bound to escalate in the long run. It really is a `time bomb` ticking.
I don`t know if you saw it, but I posted a link to this article recently, which shows that Scotland is trying out a more sensible approach (as mentioned in the article).
http://hepcfriends.activeboard.com/t53750921/scotlands-bold-approach-to-diagnosing-and-treating-active-dr/
What irony, but not a big surprise. Here in the U.S. most politicians and officials know that drug policies have failed, but are loath to consider alternate strategies. At some point in the future 'something' will have to give; already huge inmate populations are very costly to provide health care to. I don't expect to see sterile injection equipment being provided to inmates, not any time soon- not ever, as that would be political suicide.
Approximately 40% of the 3 million people incarcerated here are HCV positive; I don't know if they are included in the overall U.S. HCV stats. or not.
'War on drugs' fuelling the hepatitis C epidemic among people who inject drugs
The global war on drugs has had a disastrous impact on the hepatitis C epidemic, a new report from the Global Commission on Drug Policy shows. The Negative Impact of the War on Drugs on Public Health: The Hidden Hepatitis C Epidemic is backed by seven former world leaders and cites evidence showing that the criminalisation of drug use is fuelling a hepatitis C `viral time bomb`. The report is being launched ahead of the 23rd International Harm Reduction Conference, which will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania starting on 10 Jun
`The war on drugs is a war on common sense,` said Ruth Dreifuss, former president of Switzerland. `The hepatitis C epidemic, totally preventable and curable, is...proof that the drug policy status quo has failed us all miserably.`