Drugs – Policies and practices
Issue topic – Sustainability of programs for reduction of drug related harm
CONTENT
In anticipation of an institutional answer
Lacking detailed information on the budget’s expenditures we can only presume that the Ministry of Health will find a way to provide the finances, at present granted with a donation from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This would ensure the financing of harm reduction programs within the Program for protection of the population from HIV/AIDS. Author: Vanja Dimitrievski
How the police protected the public health by cooperating with harm reduction programs
The Law Enforcement and HIV Network (LEAHN) connects people involved in HIV prevention, particularly those working with law enforcement and public health. LEAHN aims to help build sustainable global partnership to support vulnerable groups/communities such as people who use drugs, sex workers, prisoners, migrants and men who have sex with men. In their activities, LEAHN acknowledges the role the police has in public health, such as: substance use, mental health, family violence etc. Interviewed by Vlatko Dekov.
The future of the programs for reduction of drug related harms in Macedonia
At present, the continuity of the programs is uncertain due to the lack of financial support once the project supported by the Global Fund ends. Therefore, this year HOPS analyzed the harm reduction programs in order to contribute in finding ways for financing harm reduction programs and their sustainability by proposing two models – a minimal model with minimal number of services and minimal finances and an optimal model with optimal number of services and accordingly with optimal finances. Author: Vlatko Dekov
Financing of harm reduction programs in Croatia
The civic organizations HOPS – Healthy Options Project Skopje and HERA – Association for Health Education and Research from May 18th to 22nd organized a study visit to Croatia to gather information and knowledge about funding mechanisms of programs for HIV/AIDS prevention. The participants in the study visit were representatives from key institutions and ministries concerned with this issue in Macedonia, who
visited the key institutions and ministries financing the programs for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in Croatia. Author: Vlatko Dekov
Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. Once declared the City of Solidarity – today choking in the selfishness of its citizens who have forgotten that the entire world committed itself to help it rise from the ashes. However, under the sky tied on a string ray of lights still shoot, resisting oblivion and boosting solidarity. Among them are those who with their efforts contribute for humane treatment of people who use drugs. A promising story for better future for all of us. Author: Doctor Hedgehog
Formal and non-formal education on working with marginalized communities
The Summer school on addictions offers a unique opportunity for a multi-disciplinary approach towards learning about drug dependence, an approach which takes into consideration social, medical, psychological and drug policy issues. Author: Anica Dimovska
New psychoactive substances (NPS) and side effects, the situation in Macedonia and Slovenia
Many new psychoactive substances (NPS) under different names throughout the world, Macedonia and Slovenia included, have emerged in the past few years. The most common names are: designer drugs, legal highs, herbal highs, research chemicals, bath salts, plant food etc. The substances are usually marked as not for human consumption. They are synthetic or plant based mostly sold on the internet or shops known as smart shops or head shops. These substances are not protected with the international legislation. Authors: Liljana Ignjatova, Andrej Kastelic, Nusa Segrec, Biljana Stojceska.
The third shift focuses on offering support to the hidden population of drug users. Its goal is reaching to new clients and providing all services from HOPS’s harm reduction program. Author: Darko Veleski
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