This document represents a call to action from experts in the fields of addiction and hepatitis in London. It provides a framework with which to address the epidemiological, clinical and financial challenges presented by current rates of hepatitis C among people who have injected drugs and sets out solutions in the form of a blueprint for local commissioners.

Two countries in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) have reported a significant increase in HIV case reports and HIV prevalence among injecting drug users (IDUs) during 2011 (Greece and Romania).

The report consists of a summary of the national drug situation presenting brief information in key areas (drugs prevalence, prevention, harm reduction, drug laws etc.).

This EMCDDA Selected issue focuses on mortality among drug users due to all causes, of which drug-induced deaths (overdoses) is only a component, albeit the one most well-documented.

This year’s EMCDDA Annual report notes some worrying developments in respect of HIV among injecting drug users.

A study in Indonesia has found that people with HIV who injected drugs were 85% more likely to have HIV-associated tuberculosis than those who were not injecting drug users.

Important insights into the continued spread of hepatitis C among injecting drug users are provided by two studies published in the online edition of the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

In this guidance report, the ECDC and the EMCDDA explore good public health practices that can support effective policies to reduce infections among people who use drugs.