Harm Undone: The Potential Influence of Harm Reduction on Political and Social Change in Central Asia

Central Asia's geographic location has not worked to its advantage in the decades following the fall of the Soviet Union. Proximity to the Middle East and susceptibility to influence from Russia have put significant pressure on the region's political and population dynamics. At the same time, the emergence of a major drug trafficking route out of Afghanistan coupled with socio-economic despair in the region has led to an increase in drug use, which has helped fuel the current HIV epidemic.

Despite mounting evidence that harm reduction programs are effective in preventing the spread of HIV among drug users, such programs are often challenged by politicians and community leaders. This report, produced by OSI's International Harm Reduction Development Program, examines the need for—and challenges to—developing effective harm reduction strategies in Central Asia.

Harm Undone is available for download in PDF format.