Thailand Denies HIV/AIDS Treatment to Drug Users

By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BANGKOK, Thailand – Human Rights Watch and Thai Aids Treatment Action Group report that the Thai government has denied HIV and AIDS treatment to intravenous drug users.  The Thai government estimates that from forty to fifty percent of drug users within the country are infected, which is virtually the same as the number of HIV and AIDS infected drug users two decades ago.

“An HIV diagnosis is still a death sentence for most drug users in Thailand.  Thailand must stop discrimination against drug users seeking health care services, or it will never meet its promise to ensure access to AIDS treatment to all who need it,” said Paisan Suwannawong, director of the Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group. 

Former Prime Minister Thaksin’s war on drugs has had lasting effects on healthcare providers, police officers, and drug users.  In an aggressive approach to the illegal drug trade, at least 2,275 drug users or dealers died in extrajudicial killings.  In conjunction with its stance against drugs, Thailand enforced a national policy that explicitly excluded intravenous drug users from antiretroviral treatment programs until 2004. 

Although the policy was rescinded, healthcare providers are unaware of the change or unwilling to follow guidelines.  There are also reports that treatment centers discriminate against drug users because of their perceived irresponsibility.  In addition, some healthcare providers continually share information with law enforcement officials as a matter of policy and practice.

Drug users are also prevented from accessing treatment by law enforcement.  In addition to information provided by healthcare providers, police also question clients outside drug treatment centers and use possession of sterile syringes or presence at methadone clinics as basis for drug-related criminal charges. 

As a result, drug users are fearful of disclosing their drug use or seeking help.  When drug users do seek HIV/AIDS treatment, they typically do not disclose their drug use, resulting in possible harmful drug interactions.  Some clinics have gone as far as to implement a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, refusing to ask about patients’ drug use.   

Rebecca Schleifer, advocate with the HIV/AIDS and Human Rights Program at Human Rights Watch, said: “Thailand needs to translate its written commitments on HIV/AIDS into action.  If the authorities don’t immediately address the systematic human rights violations committed against drug users by police and health care providers, the government will be contributing directly to the continued spread of HIV." 

For more information, please see:

Bangkok Post – Breaking News: Government 'Blocks AIDS Treatment' to Addicts – 29 November 2007

Human Rights Watch - Thailand: Denial of HIV Treatment Erodes Success on AIDS – 29 November 2007

Human Rights Watch Report – Deadly Denial: Barriers to HIV/AIDS Treatment for People Who Use Drugs in Thailand

International Herald Tribune - Report: Thailand's Status as Pioneer in War on HIV Imperiled by Attitude Toward Drug Users – 29 November 2007