People who inject or use illicit drugs face disproportionate rates of HIV, viral hepatitis, TB, and other infectious diseases. In Kenya, the prevalence of HIV among PWIDs is approximately 18.7%. Young PWIDs also face additional challenges such as stigma, discrimination, violence, withdrawals, predisposition to other psychoactive drug use, and mental health disorders.
Community gatekeepers play a crucial role in mental health advocacy. This training aimed to equip them with the knowledge and skills to handle PWID clients using a human rights approach and to support the shift in negative perceptions about young PWIDs. By applying what they learned, these gatekeepers will help improve access to harm reduction services, thereby reducing the high rates of HIV infection among this vulnerable population.