In the last five years we have seen increases in the number of injecting drug users diagnosed with HIV, and raised levels of HIV transmission.

In 2007 over 1,400 injecting drug users were being seen for HIV care in the UK. Around one in 75 injecting drug users in England and Wales has HIV.

HIV can be transmitted when needles are shared, which is why we are calling for injecting drug users to have full access to needle exchange both in the community and in prisons.

Injecting drug users who are living with HIV may find it more difficult than others to adhere to HIV treatment and to take steps to reduce the risk of transmission so they need support in this area.

As well as access to needle exchange, we are calling for injecting drug users to have access to condoms, HIV and hepatitis testing, methadone maintenance therapy and harm reduction advice, both in the community and in prisons.