The adoption of a needle exchange program by Tajikistan prisons can be seen as a pilot effort towards international acceptance of these controversial disease prevention practices.

The Department of Correction Affairs is responsible for the implementation of such an exchange program in Tajikistan. A rapid assessment in 2009 by the Tajik government identified the country’s prison system as a high-risk communicable disease location and a prime location for a harm reduction program. Needle and Syringe Exchange Programs (NSEP) had proven results in the reduction of HIV and Hepatitis C communication among prisoners in various other countries that chose to implement them. NSEP are described as “safe both for staff in prisoners and promote decrease and harness risky behaviors as well as the rate of blood borne diseases” by the United Nations Development Program.

The proven success of the Needle Syringe Exchange Programs led to the signing of a decree in January 2010 by the Department of Correction Affairs beginning NSEP in prisons of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The first stage of this implementation occurred in February of this year and consisted of “training and raising knowledge on the urgency and specifics of NSEP implementation for staff and prisoners in the prison” according to a United Nations Development Program Newsletter. The second stage of implementation involves appointments to educate individual prisoners regarding safe needle use practices and many are scheduled to be conducted in the near future.

On a global scale there is a 14.7 percent adult HIV prevalence among injecting drug users according to International Harm Reduction Association’s Global State of Harm Reduction. Implementation of programs such as NSEP by international governments are key to educating individuals on risks associated with sharing injection needles and lowering disease transmission statistics.

Matt Phillips

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