HIV Prevention among IVDUs in the Federal Republic of Germany: Stability and Change

Abstract

These comments on German drug and AIDS policy are based on the author's two decades of experience in the field of drug user treatment, on recent studies about the epidemiology and etiology of HTV among IVDUs, and on evaluative studies on demonstration projects. German drug use/user policy did not change much in the face of AIDS: no large maintenance or needle-exchange programs were initiated. This is because a well-prepared system of low-threshold methods targeted at IVDUs not ready to undergo treatment was in place before the epidemic. This system has been modified to integrate the aims of HIV prevention among IVDUs and is free of charge and available throughout the country.