By Ruta Kaupe , Board Chairperson of NGO  ’DIA+LOGS’, Riga, Latvia

At midday on Tuesday 6th July, the old, historical town of Bauska welcomed Latvian NGO ‘DIA+LOGS’ as they arrived on the Vienna Express 2010 bus in Korfa Park. As soon as our team in bright yellow t-shirts drew up, people began approaching us and asking what kind of event it was going to be. People were keen to engage in conversation with our volunteers and find out more about the campaign. We were pleased that so many people were motivated to write their wishes for the Vienna AIDS conference and take copies of our newsletter. ‘Say NO to indifference, because AIDS can affect anyone!’–  that was the message that we wanted people to hear! And in Bauska people were ready to listen to us!
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By Ruta Kaupe, Board Chairperson of NGO  ’DIA+LOGS’, Riga, Latvia

On June 29, the rhythm of drums was heard in the very heart of Old Riga (Vecriga). This was the sound of the Vienna Express 2010 starting its Latvian tour!

At midday, Old Riga experienced an exciting event, the Vienna Express 2010 street performance ‘Drugs – First Step to AIDS!’, which was organised by the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network. The core message was that drug use and unprotected sex are behind the accelerating spread of HIV in the community.

Our team dressed in bright yellow t-shirts attracted the crowds from the first minutes of their arrival, and once the drum performance people began heading to the spot from adjoining streets and buildings.

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Location: Riga

Event

On June 29th, from noon, musicians and amateur artists will perform on the streets of Riga. Through performances and distribution of materials, they will raise awareness of HIV/AIDS among the youth and the policy makers of the Latvian capital. At 3 p.m., a video will be screened in Vecmilgravis (near the social house and day centre).

Background

In 2008, Latvia was ranked first among the European countries in terms of new HIV cases among drug users. Today there are more than 4,600 registered HIV infected persons and infection is spreading in the general population due to sexual contacts, mostly with people from drug users community.

In Latvia, the HIV epidemic is highly concentrated among intravenous drug users. Despite the fact that harm reduction (HR) programmes have been implemented and developed in Latvia since 1999 and some progress in this field has been made, these programmes still face many challenges. These challenges include negative attitude from the general public, under estimation by local authorities and government officials on the real benefit of HR programmes on communities and lack of finances for the implementation of HR programmes. There is a constant need to reinforce the necessity of these programmes and fight for their continuance.