Following a fire that swept through a drug treatment clinic in Moscow last Sunday, killing 45, the United Nations message”>called for Russian authorities to do more to improve drug prevention and treatment.  Currently there is an epidemic of drug abuse and the spread of HIV/AIDS through drug injection in Russia, connected with an opium boom in Afghanistan following the American invasion.

“The death of these women is a real tragedy,” Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa said, “They had the courage to try to escape the hell of drug abuse but were unable to escape this inferno.”

Costa noted that women in drug treatment, especially those who have contracted HIV/AIDS, are often marginalized by societies, and called on all States to respect the human rights of all drug users.

The lead agency within the United Nations in UNAIDS, of which UNODC treats especially drug users.  More information on the program and how you can help can be found UNAIDS”>here.

- Peter Broady

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