ABSTRACT
Drug injecting is now found in more than 120 countries, and HIV infection associated with drug injecting in over 80 of them. Production and transportation of drugs, the migration of drug users, and the rapid diffusion and adoption of injecting, has typically been followed by the extensive spread of HIV infection. Within just three years HIV infection among injectors in this sub-region reached record levels. The rapid and extensive spread of HIV infection among drug injectors in some parts of this region is linked to high risk injecting practices. Also significant for the spread of HIV infection is the use of professional injectors at drug injecting shops, and the injection of drugs at public gathering sites. Trade, cultural and migration links between the epidemic epicentre and neighbouring areas suggest that south India, Cambodia, Laos, and Bangladesh may be susceptible to both drug injecting and HIV infection.
