Harm Reduction Capacity building training on People Who Use and Inject Drugs (PWUID)
in Correctional Centres in the Republic of Zambia
21st and 22nd of November 2024, Lusaka, Republic of Zambia. On November 21st and 22nd, 2024, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSAF), in collaboration with the UNODC HIV/AIDS Section in Vienna, facilitated a transformative capacity-building training for correctional officials from Zambia Correctional Service (ZCS). The Commissioner General Prisons and UNAIDS Country Representative opening the training.
ZCS faces significant challenges related to drug use among the incarcerated population, which has serious health consequences not only for individuals within the system but also for their communities upon release. To address these concerns, UNODC has been working closely with ZCS to scale up harm reduction efforts within correctional facilities, including integrating harm reduction policies at the drug policy level.
This two-day training aimed to accelerate the implementation of key harm reduction services, such as Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT), Needle and Syringe Programs (NSP), and overdose prevention measures like Naloxone and Naltrexone. The training included a blend of theoretical content, audio-visual materials, and real-life testimonies from individuals receiving OAT in other countries attended by 35 officials. This comprehensive approach ensured the training met international standards, including the Nelson Mandela Rules and the Bangkok Rules, both of which emphasize the importance of prisoners’ rights and their access to health services.
Facilitated by Gunasekaran Rengaswamy, Regional Adviser on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care for Southern Africa, and Ehab Salah, Adviser on Prisons and HIV based in Vienna, the training focused on essential harm reduction strategies, such as OAT, NSP, and overdose prevention. The trainers also underscored the importance of international standards advocating for the protection of prisoners' rights and the right to health.
The training involved in-depth discussions on critical issues, including the lack of accessible harm reduction services in prisons and the challenges faced by prisoners reintegrating into society without specialized drug treatment. Integrating harm reduction services with other critical services, such as psycho-social support, trauma debriefing, sexual and reproductive health, and mental health services, was identified as an essential approach in prions.
One training delegate stated: “This training is a significant contribution to establishing harm reduction in correctional centres.” Other training delegates agreed that the training is affording Zambia Correctional Service the opportunity to promote the health of people living with HIV and people who use and inject drugs in correctional facilities.
Looking ahead, UNODC remains committed to providing ongoing technical support to Zambia Correctional Service and strengthening efforts to ensure that people living with HIV and people who use drugs in prisons are not excluded from achieving good health and well-being, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.
