"...The guys who are coming to our office are seeing in me something that they can achieve. That you can get out of drugs and do something right ... "
After nine years addicted to injecting Methadone and in danger of contracting HIV, Denis agreed to gradually reduce his intake under the supervision of doctors. Now free from drug use, he is one of three dozen current and former drug users working to prevent HIV among 4000 others, and reintegrating them into their communities. By working through people like Denis who are trusted more by drug users, Macedonia has maintained one of the world’s lowest numbers of HIV-infected people.
When a Methadone Centre and Needle exchange site was built in his hometown with Global Fund support, Denis Ampev was delighted to begin working for it. Methadone is a powerful drug used in hospital to prevent pain. Since it is widely available, some people abuse it to change their mood and behaviour.