Eastern Europe and Central Asia

*Field office updates will be provided as they are received

China

Strengthening the role of law enforcement in China's response to HIV

Timeline: January 2008-December 2010

Background

The rate of HIV infection among inmates is significantly higher than that in the general population. The law enforcement sector can complement the preventive measures made by the health sector to stop the spread of the HIV epidemic and reduce relapse into drug use. Comprehensive approaches to HIV do not work without the involvement and full commitment of the police.

Objectives

1. To provide the Government of China with a comprehensive analysis and recommendations for an effective response by law enforcement to HIV in closed settings in the affected community.

2. To create an enabling environment for effective approaches by strengthening the capacity of the National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCC) to develop a multisectoral response to  HIV and to promote the role of law enforcement agencies in preventing HIV among injecting drug users.

3. To strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies to develop and implement coordinated, multisectoral, rights-based, harm reduction policies.

4. To improve access to HIV services within confined settings through the establishment of effective linkages between the services and resources provided in these settings and those provided in the wider community.

5. To improve availability and access to HIV treatment, care and support in detention centres, and to strengthen effective linkages between the services and resources provided in these settings and those provided in the wider community.

 

A comprehensive package

  • A comprehensive situation report is produced on strengthening the role of law enforcement in China's response to HIV
  • A dedicated unit is established within NNCC to oversee activities on law enforcement issues related to injecting drug use and HIV transmission
  • Leaders, policymakers and programme planners in the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Justice and NNCC are fully engaged in supporting HIV prevention
  • The drug awareness campaigns developed by NNCC are responsive to and meet the new challenges posed by an increasing number of drug-related HIV infections
  • Specialist HIV training and resource centres are established in selected police academies and colleges
  • Best practices in drug-related HIV prevention and care are actively promoted in selected closed settings
  • HIV treatment, care and support, including voluntary counselling and testing, are made increasingly available to residents in selected closed settings

Partnerships

The NNCC Demand Reduction Division was identified by the Government as UNODC counterpart.

Project sites

Based on consultations with NNCC, project activities should be implemented at the national level and in two specific project areas: Hunan Province and Beijing Municipality.

Funding arrangements

Project budget: US$ 760,000

Secured: 100 per cent

Donors: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)