A drug substitution therapy point, which is already the 13th point in Belarus, opened today in Barysau. A network of substitution therapy points functions with the assistance of the grants of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria which are implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the Ministry of Health. Narcological dispensaries offering substitutions therapy have been renovated and provided with medical and laboratory equipment and alarm systems.

The ceremony of opening the substitution therapy point in Barysau was attended by Antonius Broek, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, Sergey Osipchik, Lead Narcologist of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, representatives of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), UNDP and the executive authorities of the city of Barysau.

– All CIS countries with the exception of Russia use methadone substitution therapy as a successful method of treating opioid dependency, – said Mr. Broek, – In Belarus, we can see methadone program working.

Between 2007 and 2011 substitution therapy reached 792 patients; it is currently provided to 539 people. Among them there are 207 HIV-infected; 103 people are covered by antiretroviral therapy. The programme has evident social benefits: 269 patients have found jobs, many of them have restored family relations.

Best international practices are followed for treatment of the Belarusian patients. Many specialists of the narcological clinics participating in the project have attended training in Lithuania and Switzerland.

In 2012 it is expected to open 3 more drug substitution therapy points in Lida, Rechyca and Minsk.

For reference: Drug substitution therapy programme is one of the key focuses of the grants of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria which are implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in cooperation with the Ministry of Health. Injecting drug use substantially increases a risk of HIV infection and other dangerous diseases transmitted through needle sharing. Substitution therapy helps contain the spread of HIV, improve the quality of life, it enables people to re-establish social contacts, restore family relations and find jobs. Patients have good prospects of overcoming drug addiction.

For further information, please contact the Management Team of the Global Fund grants in Belarus. Telephone: (+375 017) 306-51-88.

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