COVID19 and treatment of drug use disorders. With millions of deaths worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest health crisis of our times. The global society is challenged by the pandemic.

Drug Situation in Central Asia and China. In Central Asia, the prevalence of opioid use is twice as high as in Europe, in China there are almost 5 million opioid users, still a small number in relation to the total population, but an enormous problem for the healthcare system.

Working with people who live with infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Tuberculosis or are affected by a current pandemic situation of SARS-CoV-2 requires a well-equipped ‘toolbox’ of skills and knowledge, multiple levels of action: direct practice with specific, vulnerable target groups, individual casework, and social group work. In the face of rapidly changing pandemic situation, responsive and adaptive social work practice is especially important in relation to sustainable development goals.

Provision of adequate and fair healthcare including OST and psycho-social counselling as well as medical care for incarcerated people is an important aspect for social work. Incarcerated people are often denied the basic medical care that is generally available to people in the civic society, highlighting the injustice and the need for urgent change of policies to address the issue.