Guards outside Parliament House in Bishkek Kyrgyzstan
The issues common to harm reduction, notably illicit and licit drug use and HIV, do not respect borders or boundaries. Consequently, it is important for us to look to regional solutions to these problems and their harmful outcomes. This not only means we can share experiences across a number of countries, but we can also develop new networks and collaborations of mutual benefit.
Regional activities and projects can operate at a number of levels, from the community to the state, and also bring together those with professions in common, such as law enforcement and public health. These can result in practical outcomes, such as regional policies, models of good practice and region wide harm reduction networks.