You're reading: PRI: Drug users are presumed criminals in Ukraine

PRI: Drug users are presumed criminals in Ukraine

By Public Radio International (PRI).

Published Oct. 7, 2016. Updated Oct. 7 at 9:01 pm

(FILES) A man with handcuffs releases a balloon carrying a syringe on June 26, 2013 during the "Support. Don't Punish" public street event in the center of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. People who use drugs legally or illegaly, their parents and medical workers protest against cruel and senseless state policies, which severely affect the lives of tens of thousands convicted for possessing a small amount of drug substances for personal use.

Photo by AFP

In Ukraine, substance abuse has been an epidemic for the past two decades – about 1 percent of all adults are intravenous drug users – the leading cause of HIV transmission in the country.

The problem continues to grow year after year. While the war-torn country is struggling economically, there is little hope in improving the situation.