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STD
information for students
References/
suggested reading material
Information for people
who inject drugs
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis B
HIV/AIDS
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Injecting drug use
Information for students
Injecting drug use is a major risk behaviour for HIV. It
is also a strong risk factor for hepatitis B and C. Needle and syringe
sharing among people who inject drugs is largely responsible for
transmitting infection among drug users, although unsafe sexual behaviours
also play a role.
In the United States, injecting drug users tend to come
from disadvantaged communities, where poverty and poor education are
endemic, and consequently prevention strategies can be difficult to
implement. In addition, levels of drug use are so high that the spread of
HIV is a serious problem. In Australia (Drew & Taylor 1988), injecting
drug users come from all levels and classes of society, and many continue
to function as normal community members. Estimates of the numbers of
injecting drug users in Australia vary from around 20,000 (Australian
Royal Commission of Enquiry into Drugs 1980), to hundreds of thousands of
users in different categories of use. Drew & Taylor estimated that in
1988 there were 57,000 regular users in Australia, and that 500,000 people
had injected themselves with illegal drugs, 175,000 within the last 12
months. Although these figures may be disturbing in terms of the potential
for the spread of HIV, Australian data indicate a lower incidence of HIV
infection among injecting drug users than has been reported for many other
countries.
Studies do indicate the existence of a population of
users who continue to engage in unsafe behaviours. Of 200 clients
attending rehabilitation centres in Melbourne, 91% who stated that they
had injected drugs said they had shared needles and syringes (Pain et al,
1985). Reasons included a lack of easy supply of clean equipment, an
overwhelming desire for a fix, or apathy/inconvenience. In another study,
being unable to buy a needle and syringe at the time and place of drug use
was a major reason for sharing, although most users said they did not want
to share.
These data highlight the importance of accessible needle
exchange programs. Prejudicial attitudes towards injecting drug users
often result in simplistic, judgmental approaches to the problem, with the
emphasis on drug rehabilitation or criminal punishment. Strategies need to
offer choice and focus on prevention of the spread of infection. |
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