A two-day training for law enforcement officers on their professional safety and impact on HIV-related services for people who use drugs has started at Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs. The event is organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Training sessions for cadets are conducted by Serhii RUDYI, National Program Officer of the UNODC Program Office in Ukraine.

At the beginning of the training, the First Vice-Rector of the university, Viktor VASYLENKO, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. He emphasized the importance of observing the professional safety of police officers and their role in interacting with HIV-vulnerable segments of the population.

Head of the International Cooperation Department, Tetiana MATIUSHKOVA, drew attention to the need to observe and protect human rights when working with people who use drugs.

During the first day, participants learned about epidemiology, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, occupational safety and health measures related to HIV and hepatitis, treatment of key risk groups, and protection of human rights in the performance of police functions.