A policy briefing concerning an extensive outbreak of HIV amongst people who inject drugs in Glasgow.
There is currently an ongoing and extensive outbreak of HIV amongst people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in Glasgow. Over 100 cases have been linked to this outbreak.
Plans to curtail the HIV outbreak have been hindered due to a number of issues, in particular the UK Government preventing the opening of a Drug Consumption Room (DCR) in the city and the closure of one of the main needle exchange services in Glasgow.
An amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 should be made to allow a DCR to open in Glasgow, the needle exchange service in Glasgow Central station should be re-opened, and implementation of heroin assisted therapy and increased injecting equipment provision should be trialled.
There have been smaller localised outbreaks in various parts of the UK and Ireland over the last few years. A larger outbreak in England is possible if investment and coverage of harm reduction initiatives are not increased.