The Vienna Express 2010: Towards Universal Access
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19.06.2010

The Vienna Express 2010: Towards Universal Access

“Drugs – one step up to AIDS”

Location: Riga

Event

On June 29th, from noon, musicians and amateur artists will perform on the streets of Riga. Through performances and distribution of materials, they will raise awareness among the youth and the policy makers of the Latvian capital. At 3 p.m. a video will be screened in Vecmilgravis (near the social house and day centre).

Location: Bauska, Kekava and Ogre

Event

On July 6th, musicians and amateur artists will perform on the streets of  Bauska, Kekava and Ogre. Through performance and distribution of materials they will raise awareness amongst the youth and the policy makers of these municipalities.

Background

In 2008, Latvia was ranked first among the European countries in terms of new HIV cases among drug users. Today there are more than 4,600 registered HIV infected persons and infection is spreading in the general population due to sexual contacts, mostly with people from drug users community.

In Latvia, the HIV epidemic is highly concentrated among intravenous drug users. Despite the fact that harm reduction (HR) programmes have been implemented and developed in Latvia since 1999 and some progress in this field has been made, these programmes still face many challenges. These challenges include negative attitude from the general public, under estimation by local authorities and government officials on the real benefit of HR programmes on communities and lack of finances for the implementation of HR programmes. There is a constant need to reinforce the necessity of these programmes and fight for their continuance.

Inga Upmace - Latvian Infectology Center:
'It is our responsibility to ensure qualitative HIV prevention and antiretroviral treatment in order to help people to survive. It doesn’t matter who they are: young females, men who have sex with men or drug users. HIV is a preventable infection, nevertheless it is still spreading. It’s time for real action, for collaboration of all stakeholders and for universal access to client-friendly services.'

Ruta Kaupe - DIA+LOGS, support centre for those affected by HIV/AIDS:
'I wish that society and governments understand the real mission and benefit of harm reduction programs. It is not about supporting people for drug use, but it is preventing HIV spread among our children, youth, friends and relatives. We work for every individual and for the next generations. We haven‘t come to the world to blame others for their behavior, but to help all who are in need. And the ways of support could be very different. If we are together, we can manage much more. Let‘s share our knowledge, experience, cooperation and resources for the healthy world of tomorrow.'
(www.viennaexpress.org)