SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Collection of interviews with drug users and stakeholders working in harm reduction programs and organisations, carried out as part of the GCRF Drugs and (dis)order project (grant ES/P011543/1) in Kachin State, Myanmar. The purpose of the interviews is to explore the health implications and associations of drug use in Kachin state. Interviews with drug users explore the daily life, health implications and access to harm reduction programmes with heroin injecting drug users and non-injecting opium and methamphetamine users. Interviews with stakeholders who implement harm reduction programs in Myanmar explore the impacts and innovations related to COVID-19 and the practicalities and negotiations involved in implementing harm reduction interventions in complex settings. This research aligns with the new National Strategic Framework on Drugs and Health which was released by the Myanmar government in December 2020. The interviews seek to respond to evidence gaps related to how to enhance access to health services for people who inject/use drugs in Myanmar.