Shifting approach toward treating people who use drugs (PWUDs) as patients rather than criminals could significantly improve their access to healthcare and harm reduction services, media professionals at a two-day training workshop heard this week.

This was revealed by the Harm Reduction Officer at Health Development Initiative (HDI) Deborah Kansiime during a training workshop organised by her organisation to engage media professionals about harm reduction strategies and services for people who use drugs (PWUDs).

Kansiime explained that this approach prioritizes access to healthcare, harm reduction programs, and psychosocial support, creating a safer environment for PWUDs to seek help without fear of stigma or legal repercussions.

Harm reduction is a public health strategy aimed at minimizing these risks by providing services such as overdose prevention and promoting safer drug use practices while encouraging healthier behaviors.

The training sought to deepen the media professionals' understanding of the issues faced by PWUDs, emphasizing the significant role the media plays in reducing stigma and supporting harm reduction efforts across the country.

ALSO READ: HIV prevalence among people who use drugs is three times higher — study

Kansiime explained that the goal of the two day training was to clarify what harm reduction is and to address misconceptions surrounding people who use drugs, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to support them live better and healthier lives.

She highlighted the risks faced by people who use drugs, citing research from Rwanda that shows that they have nine times the HIV incidents compared to the general population, adding the risk extends beyond HIV.

"It&039;s not just HIV. There is also Hepatitis C and B, because of sharing needles. Unfortunately, we've seen that 91 percent of the people who were interviewed in the past said that they had shared needles,” she added.

She also added that harm reduction concepts were not entirely new, as similar strategies had been put in place before, but often not targeting those who inject drugs specifically.

"We support all mechanisms in place to control drug trafficking. However, we also acknowledge this particular group’s challenges need tailored interventions and our collaboration with authorities is to ensure that we are on the same page,” she added.

ALSO READ: Recovering from drug abuse is possible – former addicts

Diane Igihozo, Senior Legal Associate at the Health Development Initiative (HDI), explained that just like all the other citizens, people who use drugs are protected under Rwandan laws, emphasizing that while the legal framework offers protections, there are complexities around how people who use drugs are treated in the judicial system, especially when it comes to addiction.

"The people who use drugs are protected under the Rwandan laws. I will start with the Constitution. They are protected as other Rwandan citizens, like they have protection against discrimination, the right to health, as well as the right to privacy," she said.

She further elaborated on the current legal challenges, where people who use drugs are incarcerated suggesting that the laws could take a more compassionate view, recognizing addiction as a health issue, not just criminal one.

She emphasized that effective legal protection of people who use drugs requires the correct application of existing laws and policies.

ALSO READ: Media professionals discuss amplifying diverse voices in SRHR reporting

Philemon Gisubizo, a journalist at Isango Star, shared how the training deepened his understanding of people who use drugs, noting that he learned about the various ways to support them, especially by understanding the root cause of their drug use.

"There’s a lot that I didn’t know about people who use drugs. I’ve learned that they need our understanding, not our judgement because in most cases, we do not know how this addiction started. Moving forward, I will change my approach to reporting, paying closer attention to the factors that drive individuals to use drugs, and playing my role in guiding them to seek help,” he said.

Sabine Kayihura, a journalist at Isibo TV who also participated in the training, emphasized the importance of gathering information and working to eliminate stigma and the need to raise awareness about drug use and inform the public that HIV prevalence is significantly higher among people who use drugs, which she didn’t know before the training.

"In our society, people who use drugs are often treated as though they don’t deserve healthcare or legal services, but now I understand that these individuals often need help, and that&039;s something the community can offer,” she said.

Research conducted by the Health Development Initiative (HDI) has revealed that the HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) is nine percent, which is three times higher than the three percent rate in the general population.

This data, derived from a cross-sectional mixed-methods study, highlights the elevated health risks faced by individuals who use drugs, including higher rates of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.