Methadone Clinics in Chinese Province Treat 3,000 IDUs as Part of HIV Prevention Efforts
Up to 3,000 injection drug users in China's southwestern province of Guizhou have received treatment in 30 methadone clinics as part of the province's efforts to control the spread of HIV, He Chongyuan, head of the provincial health department, said recently, Xinhuanet reports. Roughly 70% of the 3,447 HIV-positive people in the province contracted the virus through injection drug use, He said. The clinics aim to help the IDUs reduce their dependency on drugs through long-term treatment, according to He. IDUs obtaining services at the clinics are required to pay about $1.26 for each methadone treatment, according to Xinhuanet. The country's methadone treatment program began in 2003 and covers about two-thirds of China's provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. According to China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are a total of 307 methadone clinics in the country, and China by the end of 2007 plans to establish clinics in all cities and counties with more than 500 IDUs each (Xinhuanet, 11/1).
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