Bangladesh National Harm Reduction Strategy for Drug Use and HIV 2004-2010

In Bangladesh it is widely acknowledged that drug use is increasing and accompanied with this are various risk behaviors. Particular concerns are injecting drug use and adverse health consequences such as blood-borne viruses specifically HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C.

In 2000-2001 the HIV prevalence rate among injecting drug users (IDUs) ranged from 1.4 - 1.7%. By 2005-2006 the HIV prevalence had increased to 7 % among IDUs in Central Bangladesh. The National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS 2004 - 2010 has as an objective of the need to Provide Support to the Priority Groups of People and one focus is to Provide Support and Services to Drug Users. Five strategies for drug users had been developed and endorsed.