Initiative for Health Foundation (IHF) is a non-governmental organisation established in the end of 1997 by several professionals in the field of drugs. The main goal of the organization is to assist society to find an adequate response to the drug phenomenon and to work for the development of a wide range of services and support activities oriented to drug users.
The main activities of Initiative of Health are aimed at reduction of the health and social harm, related to drug use; prevention of HIV/AIDS among out-of-treatment drug users and among especially vulnerable groups, such as sex workers and Roma community; training of professionals and volunteers in HIV/AIDS prevention among injecting drug users; research projects in the field of drug use and HIV area; advocacy efforts for effective policies.
Since 1998 the organization carries out an outreach program for prevention of HIV and other blood transmitted infections among out-of-treatment injecting drug users, and since 2001 – among sex workers. In 2003 Initiative for Health opened the first drop-in center for drug users in Sofia, and in 2006 – a second one in the Roma community. In 2008 a methadone maintenance program was started in one of the centers.
The education of professionals and research activities are also an important part of the IHF’s activities. The foundation has completed/participated in nine research projects on the profile, behavior and needs of the target group, thanks to its unique and broad access to non-institutionalized drug users. Educational, advocacy and research activities have resulted in different publications.
IHF has participated in several international projects, mostly with European focus. It is a member of two international networks: the Eurasian Harm Reduction Network and the European Network for Social Inclusion and Health ‘Correlation”. The organization collaborates with a number of European partners, working in the filed of HIV prevention and care, drug use, sex work, Roma communities.
In Bulgaria IHF is a member of the Country Coordinating Committee on HIV/AIDS.
With financial support from Drug Prevention and Information Programme of the European Union. This website has been developed with the assistance of the European Union. The contents inside are the sole responsibility of the implementing organizations and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.