STRONG ENDORSEMENT OF “HARM REDUCTION” FROM THE HIGHEST OF AUTHORITIES:

The UNAIDS Director on 12 Feb wrote the chairperson of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs: “UNAIDS, including our Cosponsors and in particular UNODC and WHO, have amassed a considerable body of strong and consistent evidence on the effectiveness of harm reduction approaches. Conversely, there is no convincing evidence of major negative consequences of such interventions.” In addition, the Director of The Global Fund on 6 Feb. wrote the Chairperson: “...harm reduction is an essential, evidence-based AIDS response,” and mentions specifically “access to treatment, clean needles, opiate substitution therapy and a comprehensive package of services...”