Emergence of HIV and Drug Policy Ireland and Europe - Essay Example

?Emergence of HIV and Drug Policy – Ireland and Europe Introduction This paper strives to focus upon the emergence of HIV in both Ireland and also the overall European Region. It (the paper) would then go on to elaborate on the manner which the drug policy of both the zones has been influenced by the rise in the incidence of HIV. Emergence of HIV in Ireland On a worldwide basis, the number cases of HIV have substantially reduced. But the corresponding scenario in Ireland is in stark contrast to that, with an alarming surge in incidence of the condition (HIV). It has been projected that, since 1999, the total number of HIV positive cases in Ireland have registered a greater than two-fold rise. In the year 2009, the number of new HIV positive cases was 395. Along with that, the total number of persons who have tested positive for HIV, in Ireland, stood at 5,637. It is also being estimated that, in that very year (2009), the total amount spent in the region (Ireland) spent towards HIV and several other communicable ailments was a staggering €114 million. This is way higher than the funds that have been allotted towards the same purpose, in countries such as Japan and Italy. (1) In the year 2009, there were two deaths that are directly attributable to HIV, and along with this, the total number of people who have died as result of AIDS, in Ireland, increased to 414. (1) At this juncture, a vital fact warrants special mention. Prior to the year 1985, HIV was not considered as that serious an ailment, by the Irish people. But in that year something happened, bringing about a drastic transformation in the manner in which the populace of Ireland viewed HIV. It was in the October of 1985 that the immensely popular actor, Rock Hudson, succumbed to HIV. That in fact was the first instance of Ireland where, the life of a celebrity was cut short by this deadly condition. It was only since then that the country’s people started to comprehend the seriousness of AIDS. (1) Rise in HIV and the drug policy For about the past two decades, the rise in incidence of HIV has tremendously influenced the drug policy of Ireland, as is the case with many other zones of the globe. The drug policy is based on the key objective of successfully combating the menace of wrong use of drugs. This in fact is amongst the primary causes of HIV in the country. The drug policy is being designed so as to be conducive for bringing out strategies that encourage community participation. Also, the policy strives to educate the citizens about the manner in which the risks of contracting HIV can be significantly minimized. (2) The aforesaid strategies are also aimed at enabling coordination amongst various health agencies that are toiling in the realm. The drug policy was successful in identifying some zones of Ireland where, the residents are with limited economic strength. It was seen that, in these locations, the menace of drug abuse is rampant, and this invariably has a higher risk of HIV, as its inevitable consequence. The drug policy aims to form specialized task forces for implementing the strategies, in these zones. As a matter of fact, some sections of the Irish Society strongly opine that, a drug policy would be displaying comprehensive success, only if it is developed in such a way that it can easily be linked with other policies of the government, in the avenue of housing, employment and education, to cite a few. (2) It was felt that if the drug policy, instead of getting linked with all the above-mentioned policies, concentrates solely on altering the behavioral patterns of specified persons, key issues such as poverty and unemployment, etc, cannot be successfully addressed. In fact, it was also noted that the policy is now adopting a holistic approach for addressing the all-important issues. (2) Role of National Aids Strategy Committee Various NGOs that were also inclusive of drug agencies first started to work in the avenue of HIV, when people utilizing their services became HIV positive. These NGOs have meets at specified intervals for exchanging the related information, as well as discussing about the several issues. Presently, in Ireland, the National Aids Strategy Committee (NASC) is carrying out a review of the recommendations that it made in the year 1992. As a matter of fact, this review is for bringing about modifications in those (recommendations), in light of the latest treatments that are available. Many experts toiling in the realm are voicing their views that, notwithstanding all the advances in the sphere of HIV treatment, yet, a long way has still to be traversed before normalizing the ailment. It is just that the social stigma that has been initially attached to this ailment is currently not so high. (3) In the subsequent paragraphs, focus would be on the various issues and challenges pertaining to HIV treatment and prevention that the national drug policy of Ireland strives to address. Since the time when the report of NASC was first published, in the year 1992, there have been highly committed endeavors to bring about a significant decline in the number of individuals who got infected with HIV. These efforts were directed at treating the HIV positive patients in the best possible manner, too. (3) The committee of NASC and all its sub-committees frequently meet, propelled by the primary objective of successfully tackling all the issues that are posed by the menace of HIV. As a matter of fact, NASC has now identified several areas, which were hitherto not considered as being problems, in terms of HIV prevention and treatment. Based on this, it can conveniently be stated that, NASC runs the extra mile in making sure that its policies consistently keep evolving, in response to the rapidly changing time and circumstances. (3) As has been mentioned earlier, intravenous drug use is amongst the major ways in which HIV gets transmitted, in Ireland. Even the NASC has made a serious note of this fact. During the early 1980s, when HIV was first rapidly spreading across the country, a policy for battling the issue at the national level was not there. In the year 1992, it was NASC, which first emphasized upon the importance of adopting an approach that is aimed at minimizing the harm. In fact, at that time, NASC also focused upon the importance of establishing satellite clinics, in the proximity of hospitals. (3) It is a universally recognized fact that homosexual men were at an increased risk of getting infected by HIV. But this fact did not get the due recognition in Ireland for a very long time, as all acts of homosexuality did not have legality. Homosexuals were hence hesitant to speak openly about their sexual orientation. During the early days, even NASC did not give importance to the aspect of homosexuality, in all its anti-HIV endeavors. But with the passage of time and with the advent of organized gay groups, this crucial aspect (homosexuality and HIV) got included in the NASC recommendations. And as a direct consequence of that, the several government agencies encompassed it under the purview of their strategies. (3) In the past, prisoners infected with HIV were isolated from the other inmates. In fact, in most of the cases, prisoners got afflicted by the condition, owing to either drug abuse or homosexual acts. The passage of time led to the advent of a scenario where, homosexual acts were no longer considered to be illegal. As a result of that, the practice of isolating the infected prisoners was stopped. In addition, the consistently evolving drug policy has made sure that there is a substantial improvement in the treatment facilities that are provided to prisoners. (3) It is only since 1985 that various contraception methods have become legal, in Ireland. As a matter of fact, condoms started to be extensively available, only after The Health (Family Planning) (amendment) Act of 1993 came into force. This Act played a pivotal role in making sure that the country’s drug policy provided the required recognition to the varying forms of contraception. (3) As stated earlier, the policy is a constantly evolving one endeavoring to address all the new issues pertinent to HIV treatment and prevention. Hence, the drug policy has now realized about the extent to which HIV is linked to other ailments. Persons infected with HIV are at an enhanced risk of developing any of the other communicable diseases. Owing to that, the policy states that, medical professionals who focus on HIV treatment and prevention should also treat other ailments, which directly result from HIV. (3) The drug policy of Ireland, in light of the rise in incidence of AIDS, is also significantly influenced by several international policies and initiatives. And there is indeed a highly valid reason for that. Ireland is a member country of EU Management Committee on Aids and Other Communicable Diseases. Because of this, it (Ireland) keeps itself abreast with all the related latest developments and trends of the global landscape. (3) The initiative “The Prevention of Transmission of Blood-Borne Diseases in the Health-Care Setting” got underway in the year 1999. In fact, this initiative throws light on the effective manner in which Ireland’s drug policy quickly responds to challenges. It (Initiative) enumerates guidelines that strive to safeguard the well-being of both the medical personnel and also the patients, from blood-borne ailments such as HIV and Hepatitis. The guidelines provides comprehensive educative information about the several precautionary measures that have to be adhered to, to prevent exposure to blood and others secretions from the body. (3) Overall, the drug policy of Ireland is such that, it leaves no stone unturned in making sure that all individuals infected with HIV have unhindered access to specialized medical services. All the different treatment patterns are available, and highly competent professionals decide as to the one (treatment) that is suitable for a given patient. In the country, persons afflicted with AIDS are treated on par with those who have developed any of the other chronic ailments. There is no discrimination. On the contrary, people afflicted with AIDS have full access even to those specialized services that are not available for patients suffering from other chronic ailments. (3) Implementation of Policy Many quarters of the Irish society strongly maintain that NASC is bogged down by a major drawback. NASC focuses solely on designing of policy, but it is not vested with the responsibility of implementing the same. This in fact is considered by many to be a serious flaw in the mode in which NACS functions. It is only the concerned department of the government that is obliged to implement the policy recommendations of NASC. To be more specific, implementing programs and strategies aimed at prevention and treatment of HIV is the responsibility of The Department of Health and Children. (3) It is rather perturbing to be noting that guidelines issued by NASC are not being followed in a methodical manner, in the country. The various NGOs, which are fully committed to the cause in question, are not having access to sufficient resources. Owing to that, there is a limit beyond which they are unable to function, for the purpose of tackling the menace of HIV and AIDS. Also, it has to be categorically stated that NGOs need to be given more authority than what they are right now having. Only then would they be totally successful in addressing the crucial issue of HIV treatment and prevention. (3) Legal Aspects The drug policy of Ireland was also successful in making the government come forward with some laws that are driven by the chief objective of battling HIV and AIDS. For instance, the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act of 1997 stipulates that no one can be subjected to an injury by a syringe where, the person has highly valid reasons for suspecting that they could have been infected by HIV. Likewise, there is also a legislation, which bans possession and supply of controlled drugs. (3) Based upon the contents discussed in the preceding paragraphs, there should be no hesitation in concluding that the drug policy of Ireland has enormously been impacted by the alarming surge in HIV. Despite any possible differences in the mode of functioning, all the concerned strategies and initiatives in Ireland are based on a single objective – bringing about a drastic drop in the incidence of HIV. Emergence of HIV – Europe As per World Health Organization the issue of HIV has reached epidemic proportions in Europe. It is estimated that around two million people residing in this zone (Europe) are infected with HIV. This speaks volumes about the alarming rate at which the disease is spreading in the European region. As a matter of fact, the total number of persons afflicted by this condition is now even more, for ten more states have been recently been added to the European Union. (4) At this juncture, it needs to be specifically mentioned that the major cause of HIV in Europe, varies from region to region. For instance, in countries such as Denmark, Sweden and Netherlands, etc, it is the homosexuals who are most affected by HIV. Similarly, in Southern Europe, injecting drug use (IDU) has been identified as the chief factor leading to individuals getting infected with HIV. (4) There is a fact that is causing lot of worry to professionals toiling in the sphere of HIV treatment and prevention. Throughout Northern Europe, there has been a substantial rise in the total number of HIV cases that directly resulted from heterosexual activity. In fact, in this region the number of women who are infected is much higher than ever. In Portugal, for every one million people, 81 are those who have been infected by HIV. (4) Experts endeavoring in the realm are voicing the opinion that, the surge in HIV cases could also be related to the fact that, countless migrants from different parts of the globe are settling in several zones of the European Union. Almost each and every region of the globe is now having a huge migrant population, and this was not so even until the recent past. It is but obvious that quite number of those migrants, who have now made Europe as their home, could be infected with HIV. (4) The rate at which the menace of HIV has been growing in the United Kingdom is amongst the highest in the World. In fact, for the year 2003, it had been calculated that the total new HIV positive cases of the UK constituted forty percent of the entire cases in Western Europe. At this point, it has to be highlighted that, IDU is amongst the leading causes not just in Southern Europe, but also in the entire zone (European Union). (4) A careful observation of the corresponding scenario in countries like France, Italy and Spain, amongst others, has thrown light on a rather perturbing fact. There has been a drastic rise in the younger people who are getting infected by this virus (HIV). It has been seen that, in Eastern Europe, approximately eighty percent of people who get infected are those whose age is not more than twenty four. In this very region (Eastern Europe), amongst the 1,20,000 infected individuals, only 15,000 have access to anti-HIV medicines. This disturbing trend is primarily attributable to both inadequate funding by governments and also high cost of medicines. (4) The World Health Organization has strongly stated that many European regions have not initiated adequate measures for bringing about a noteworthy drop in the total number of HIV Positive cases. It is chiefly because of this that the entire European zone is now confronted with what can conveniently be rated as the biggest health crisis of the modern era. Appropriate highlighting of the preventive aspect of HIV is the sole means by which the epidemic can be successfully checked. This holds good not just for the European Union, but also for all the countries of the globe. (4) The contents that have been elaborated in the last few paragraphs indeed highlight the severity of HIV in Europe. The focus of the paper would now shift to having a basic understanding about the way in which the drug policy of the zone is linked with the surge in HIV. Rise in HIV – Drug Policy of Central Europe Drug policies of the region of Central Europe are indeed playing a very crucial role in ensuring that the rate at which the HIV menace is growing is low. These drug policies encompass many strategies and programs that are aimed at minimizing the incidence of HIV Positive cases. Amongst the most striking of those (programs) is the needle exchange program. Experts who are relentlessly persevering in battling the issue argue that, this program has been fairly successful in bringing about a decline in the number of HIV Positive cases, in the zone. (5) Medical professionals and scientists have pointed out that the alarming surge in AIDS, in Central Europe, is chiefly attributable to stringent policies. As a matter of fact, these policies are considered to be the primary reasons for rise in incidence of AIDS in intravenous drug users. (5) About two decades back, the drug users of the Central European Region were shunned, and even brought to book. Owing to such rigid environment, the drug dependents were reluctant to seek medical help, in the event of them getting infected by HIV. They became recluses and left everything to fate. But the end of the communist regime changed this scenario for the better. The drug users were educated about the manner in which they can take the drugs in a safe manner so as to minimize the risk of developing HIV. The policies started to be more realistic rather than being too idealistic for practical implementation. Various governments finally recognized the fact that, it is almost next to impossible to ban all the drugs and the next best option would be to make sure that drugs are used in a relatively safe manner. (5) Here, it has to be observed that, the more idealistic and stringent the drug policy is the more severe the problem of HIV would be, and vice versa. This particular argument gains strength by noting the following real examples. Ukraine chose to adopt a policy that was verging on oppression and consequently, the issue of HIV there is nothing short of a deadly epidemic. On the other hand, regions like the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Croatia followed a pragmatic and flexible policy. As a result of that, there has been a significant drop in the number of AIDS cases, in those zones. Presently, in the Czech Republic, there are well over one hundred programs aimed at harm reduction, and which are funded by the public. Syringes are being sold across-the-counter, by various pharmacies. Apt treatment procedures are given to the HIV patients. Because of all those measures, it is but obvious that the menace of AIDS is kept well under control, by the country. The usage of condoms has also increased in the Czech Republic, more so in comparison with the scenario of about two decades back. (5) Experts and medical professionals emphasize that all those regions where there is a reduction in the rate of HIV, should not leave scope for complacency. There is no denying of the fact that there is decline in HIV, amongst intravenous drug users. But these regions are required to seriously note the fact that HIV is on a rise in homosexuals, and they (regions) should be initiating prompt remedial policies. Before concluding, an extremely important point is worthy of special mention. The level at which HIV is prevalent could be much higher than what actually is reported, and there is a valid reason for this. There are many persons residing in Central Europe who could be HIV Positive, and it is just that they did not get themselves tested. (5) On the whole, it can be concluded that without any doubt that, the drug policies of Central Europe displayed noteworthy success in bringing a drop in the level at which HIV spreads. It should be hoped that all the countries attempt to emulate the example of Czech Republic, and come out with drug policies that tackle the issue with a practical perspective, rather than an idealistic one. (5) Conclusion The topic discussed in this essay is an exhaustive one, and it is just not possible to be covering all the related points in a brief write-up such as this one. Yet, a sincere attempt has been made to highlight the most salient of all the pertinent aspects. Sources 1) “Ireland’s HIV rate has doubled since 1999 global peak”, irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/1201/1224284482541.html, Internet, The Irish Times, December 2010. 2) “ILLICIT DRUG USE IN IRELAND: AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROBLEM AND POLICY RESPONSES”, drugsandalcohol.ie/6542/1/506-00441.pdf, Internet, Aileen O’ Gorman, ND. 3) “HIV Prevention Policies And Practices in Ireland 1999”, sexualhealthcentre.com/PUBLICATIONS/HIV%20prevention%20policies%20and%20practices%20in%20irelandcombined.pdf, Internet, Deirdre Seery, ND. 4) “HIV/AIDS In Europe”, guide4living.com/hiv-aids/europe.htm, Internet, NP, 2011. 5) “Drug policies help keep HIV rates low in Central Europe”, monstersandcritics.com/news/health/features/article_1571729.php/eca-007-Drug-policies-help-keep-HIV-rates-low-inCentral-Europe-Feature, Internet, Katerina Zachovalova, July 2010. Read More