Aristotle and his concept of justice

THE NORTHERN DRUG ROUTE AND HIV IN CENTRAL ASIA

Commentary

Ananthu S S, 

MA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, University of Madras

Afghanistan holds 90% of world’s opium production. The afghan opium finds its ways to Russian Federation-the largest opium consumer in the world- and Europe through northern route, which crosses the Central Asian republics and the Balkan route which includes Iran and the east European countries respectively. As per the estimates of World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2012, 190 000 people in this 5 Central Asian countries practices Injecting drug use. Among the Injecting Drug Users (IDU) 17.6% in Tajikistan, 8.48% in Uzbekistan, 3.77% in Kazakhstan and 14.62% in Kyrgyzstan are HIV positive. All though the numbers are comparatively negligible but the rate of HIV spreading is high in the region. Injecting Drug trend which is an outcome of the illicit drug trade is the major factor behind the HIV rate in Central Asia.

Central Asia and Eastern Europe stands on top in the number of IDUs with HIV globally. According to the Global AIDS Update of 2016 published by UNAIDS, 51% of HIV patients in Central Asia are Injecting Drug Users. The Action plan of WHO Europe, for the year 2012-2015 includes special focus on Central Asian Region to reduce the number of IDUs. The northern drug route not only hits the local economy of the Region (Central Asia) but also induced a hike in Drug addicts. When the local market of Central Asia is hit by the illicit drug trade, there emerges a fair number of local customers also. There was an increase from 71000 in 2005 to 320000 in 2013 the number of Drug addicts in the region. Among this 71%in Kazakhstan, 69% in Kyrgyzstan, 60 % in Tajikistan and 46% in Uzbekistan are IDUs.

WHO reported in 2014 that in 2013 more than 136000 new HIV cases showed in Central Asia and Eastern Europe and it is an increase of 80% from 2004. The risky behaviours of the IDU’s which includes, share injecting equipment, purchase of prefilled cylinder, using a common container results in the rapid spread of HIV. Lack of essential measures to control the Traffickers is also seen in controlling the spread of drug users. The rise of IDUs among sex-workers also boosted the spread of HIV as sex is exchanged for Drug in several cases. Almost 10-15% of sex workers are reported to inject drugs and 50-60 % are offering sex for drug in Central Asia. The imprisonment of sex worker’s and Drug addicts again worsens the situation as in prison they are open to unsafe homosexuality and Injecting, which in turn increases the HIV.

The prevention and cure facilities from the medical sector is very week in Central Asia. The preventive measures includes the counselling and awareness programs under Central Asian Drug Action Programme, Needle Exchange initiatives are aimed at reducing the HIV threat in the Region. Labs for HIV detection and medical aids are drastically deficient in the Region. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan recognises 95% of the HIV cases through routine check-ups. Only 21% of HIV cases are revealed at the beginning stages in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as the check-ups are only done in some sensitive areas. The working of camps put forth by Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO, UNAIDS also gives lab facilities to the people. The Needle and Syringe Programme initiated by Eurasian Harm Reduction Network, WHO, American Medical Association and other agencies is only accessible to 1% of the IDUs in Central Asia.

Corruption, Unemployment with an average of 18.79%, and migration also accelerated the Injecting drug use and prostitution in the region .The UNODC world Drug Report of 2009 shows that only 3.426% of 90-100 tons of the drug trafficked was seized by respective anti-narcotic agencies in the region. A trafficker can earn double the working salary –which is 35$- in Kyrgyzstan for each transports. A trafficker makes a profit of 12 times the investment in this trade. Nothing in Central Asia brings that much money. Corrupted administration helps the drug economy to spread. International Crisis group in 2001 reported that 50% of Central Asian customs officers are involved in drug trade. Alternative employment for those who engaged in the drug business will also bring changes.

The transformation of Central Asia to a drug centred HIV hub will affect all the major powers in Eurasia as it is a major strategic point from every zone angles. UNODC reported that in 2014 Central Asian drug Cartels made a net profit of 1.4 billion from the trafficking only. It’s clearly a matter of survival in a land which offers nothing else presently. The high demand from Europe and Russia encourages the drug trade. The run for this illegal unholy money will put the region in ultimate peril. The Abundant Natural Resources in Central Asia can be an effective alternative. Lack of literacy and awareness should be taken into account for eradicating this nasty business and disease. New investments and initiatives in the region from neighbours like OBOR, TAPI, etc. may bring new opportunities and alternatives to the region to rise it to a standard level.