Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates that about 26, 800 people inject drugs in Zambia.
UN Resident Coordinator Beatrice Mutali says this group is among the most at risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV among others.
Speaking during the commemoration of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Lusaka today, Ms. Mutali stressed the need to ensure that people who use drugs have access to controlled medicines and are provided with essential health services both in the community and in closed settings.
She has noted with concern that there are almost no facilities offering harm reduction services, although a significant number of people inject drugs in the country.
She further notes that while the number of people with drug use disorders has increased, the availability of treatment interventions has remained low.
And Ms. Mutali says the number of drug users in Africa is projected to rise by 40 percent in the next decade because of demographic changes.
She says this rise is likely to be particularly evident in Africa because the population is younger and drug use is higher among young people than among older people.
Speaking at the same event, Drug Enforcement Commission Director General Mary Chirwa says the number of people involved in drug and substance abuse in the country has been increasing over the years.
Ms. Chirwa says this is evidenced by the increase in the number of people that are drug dependent and are now seeking help from the DEC and other service providers.