Abstract
This study examined the relationship between Needle Exchange Program (NEP) utilization and treatment entry in Baltimore, Maryland. The sample was composed of 440 drug injectors with disadvantaged backgrounds. Face-to-face interviews, focusing on HIV risk behaviors, drug use, and health, were conducted between June 1997 and June 2002. Multivariate logistic analyses revealed that entering treatment was associated with NEP utilization, being female, and being HIV-positive. Cocaine sniffers/snorters were less likely to enter treatment. These findings highlight the importance of NEPs in linking injectors to treatment. These data also suggest that treatment needs to address co-occurring problems, like HIV and mental illness. Study limitations are noted.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1991-2001 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Substance Use and Misuse |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 14 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1 2006 |
Keywords
- Drug user treatment
- HIV/AIDS
- Injection drug use
- Needle exchange program
- Structural barriers
- Substance use
- Treatment utilization
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Health(social science)
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Psychiatry and Mental health