HIV and Drug Use in Vietnam

An Overview of Policies and Responses

ISSDP 8th Annual Conference

CNR, Rome, Italy, 2014

Tanvir Ahmed, PhD Candidate

Public Health & Health Promotion, School of Medicine
Population & Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute

Public Health & Health Promotion, School of Medicine

Population & Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute

BACKGROUND OF THE PAPER

Response to HIV, drug use was problematic because of
traditional law enforcement based drug control policy
Punitive approach - detention and compulsory treatment
More than decade to shift the focus to a liberal policy
This overview discusses implications policies, responses &
experiences
Developing a substantial response requires - government
leadership, political commitment, multi-sectoral collaboration,
resource allocation

Public Health & Health Promotion, School of Medicine

Population & Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute

REVIEW RESULTS
The review divides the overall responses by decades:
Decade 1991-2000
-

dominated by social evil approach MoLISA

drug treatment, rehabilitation program (centre, community)
extended period of rehabilitation
large scale informational campaign
mandatory HIV testing in centres

Different to Government initiatives:

- Pilot harm reduction small scale projects by NGOs
- some provincial authorities less rigorous in law enforcement
- constantly faced barriers because of direct policy conflict

Public Health & Health Promotion, School of Medicine

Population & Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute

REVIEW RESULTS
Decade 2001-2010 (onwards)
-

visible role (than before) by Ministry of Health

harm reduction policy officially acetated
coordinating authority VAAC established
realised the gap relating two (HIV and drug use)
other important policy supports (legally removing social evil
and treating health problems; removing penal code, law on
HIV, strategy paper on HIV; drug and other related official
documents)

Different to Government initiatives:

- national harm reduction project (PHP) strengthened
- cross border initiatives successfully completed
- MMS started and national target developed (ambitious)

Public Health & Health Promotion, School of Medicine

Population & Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

Introducing harm reduction is controversial Vietnam provides
example of repeated rejection
Also, example of speed of formal acceptance and rapid
development of enabling environment
Lessons learnt - overlapping policies & competing interest
Harm reduction program and MMT co-ordination problem
exists among three key organizations (1) MoLISA, (2) MPS, &
(3) Ministry of Health
Law enforcement activities still operation (seizure, arrest,
search)

Public Health & Health Promotion, School of Medicine

Population & Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute

Key Discussion Points (1)

Crisis with the compulsory drug treatment centres yet to deal
with call for closure by international community
Transition to voluntary and community-based system
challenges because of existing funding for these treatment
centres
UN and regional frameworks which promote drug free nation
conflicts with existing harm reduction services
Decline of external funding and national budget for HIV
program transition to funding is challenge to sustain the
gains and other scope of opportunity as multi-sectoral
approach treatment 2.0, combined ART MMT effectiveness

Public Health & Health Promotion, School of Medicine

Population & Social Health Research Program, Griffith Health Institute

CONCLUSION
Major areas for the sustainable responses include:
Political commitment
Government leadership
Multi-sectoral coordination
Resource allocation
International community should engage in regular policy
advocacy to progress towards a substantial responses