Russia has been urged by Robin Gorna, head of the International AIDS Society, that it needs to crack down on preventing the spread of HIV. According to a BBC News article, Russia has more than 2 million intravenous drug users and that at least 1 million Russians are now infected with HIV. However, Russia isn't doing as much as it could to prevent this epidemic. International experts have been urging Russia to authorize the use of methadone as an alternative to injecting heroin. Methadone is a synthetic opioid taken orally and so promoting its use instead would cut down on needle use, however Russia insists that it will not legalize the substance. Russia also refuses to fund needle exchange programs that would cut down on the number of infected needles. On top of everything, Russia is now a middle-income country and is declining financial aid from abroad.
By: Kimberly Severns
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