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Consultation Workshop: HIV programs for people who use stimulants

Currently, stimulant use is one of the major problems in many countries around the world, including Vietnam. The complexity of stimulant as synthetic drugs, the diversity of use routes, high risk of HIV transmission, lack of specific MAT, etc. have caused obstacles for intervention programs for people using this substance. Due to the serious psychosocial harms caused by stimulant use, the focus on intervention program is one of the top priorities raised by policy makers in Vietnam

It is in this spirit that the United Nations Office of Drugs and Drug Administration (UNODC) in collaboration with the Vietnam HIV - Addiction Treatment Technology Transfer Center - University of Medicine and Pharmacy in HCMC (VHATTC-UMP) co-organized the Consultation Workshop on HIV Programs for People who use stimulants in HCMC on December 5, 2017

Workshop participants

The workshop was attended by over 40 participants and experts from VAAC - Ministry of Health, PACs from 5 provinces, Psychiatric Hospital of HCMC, 3 universities, representatives from Key Affected Populations, NGOs, and development agencies (FHI360, ESTHER, etc.). Especially, we were honored to have Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh - Deputy Director of VAAC, Assoc. Prof. Do Van Dung (Vice Rector of University of Medicine and Pharmacy) and Dr. Fabienne Hariga (UNODC Senior Expert) as our chairs and speakers.

Dr. Hoang Dinh Canh, Deputy Director of VAAC spoke at The workshop opening ceremony

Besides updating the informations about stimulant use situation and intervention models that have been applied in Vietnam and around the world. At the workshop, the experts also discussed and gave constructive ideas to the draft UNODC implementation guide on HIV and stimulant.

Dr. Fabienne Hariga – Senior expert of UNODC Global

The workshop contents contained diverse and useful information that collected from researches, surveys and other reliable material sources on the world about problems related to stimulants. In addition, the attendance and sharing real experience of the members in CBOs such as drug users, MSM and sex workers made the workshop more successful.

At the second day of the workshop, on December 5, 2017, a group of key experts discussed on the draft of UNODC implementation guide on HIV and stimulant. Through the discussion, experts pointed out shortcomings and gave constructive ideas for the draft.

Key experts at the technical consultation section about the draft of UNODC implementation guide.

The presentations at workshop can be downloaded here: Vietnamese English

Other pictures at the workshop and technical consultation section:

Asso. Prof. Do Van Dung (Vice President of UMP in HCMC) presented at the Workshop.
Ms Nguyen Thuy Linh (SCDI) presented "saving the future" project
Mr. Lai Phuoc Thanh Huy (HCMC PAC) presented the methamphetamine use situation in Methadone patients in HCMC
Master Nguyen Thu Trang (Hanoi Medical University) presented at workshop
The workshop Co-Chairs
Doctor Bui Minh Kha, Director of Ba Ria - Vung Tau PAC asked questions at the workshop
Dr. Huynh Thanh Hien (HCMC Mental Hospital) spoke at the workshop
Dr. Bui Ton Hien - Vice President of University of Labour and Social Affairs presented at the workshop
Ms. Do Thuy An My, representative of Vuot Song Group - Community Based Organization (CBO) spoke at the workshop
Ms. Chung Kim Loan from District 4 MARS Group spoke at the workshop
Ms. Le Thi Bich Huyen, representative of Khat Vong CBO spoke at the workshop
Mr. Dang Quoc Phong, representative of Can Tho Red S Group presented at the workshop
Dr. Fabienne Hariga
Dr. Fabienne Hariga at the technical consultation section
Master Nguyen Thuy Anh (Hanoi Medical University) gave her ideas for the draft of UNODC implementation guide on HIV and stimulant.

Nhu Trang