NCJ Number
197395
Journal
Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 37 Issue: 11 Dated: 2002 Pages: 1305-1330
Date Published
2002
Length
26 pages
Annotation
Drug abusers’ awareness of and use of treatment programs, social service referrals, medical care, and HIV testing is the basis of this journal article.
Abstract
Through the use of qualitative interviews, drug user and abusers’ awareness and use of drug treatment programs, social service referrals, medical care, and HIV testing is discussed in this article. Introducing needle exchange programs (NEPs) as an effective means for combating the spread of HIV and other blood-borne infections among drug users, the authors propose to examine how drug users perceive and use services provided by NEPs. Conducted in conjunction with Prevention Point Philadelphia, this study utilized semi-structured interviews with drug users to assess needle exchange use, drug use, drug user treatment, health care, and the use of other services among drug abusers. Collected in 1999, semi-structured interviews with 26 injectors who used NEPs and 20 who did not were coded and analyzed to identify a range of experiences and patterns in the use of various services provided by NEPs. The authors found that respondents categorized as active involvement used HIV testing, medical services, drug-treatment referrals, and referrals for non-drug related services. Respondents categorized as steppingstones were aware of drug treatment options but had not yet used the services provided by NEPs. Individuals with vague or no awareness of the services provided by needle exchange sites did not frequent NEP sites. The authors conclude that individuals who are aware of the services provided by NEPs take advantage of these services, suggesting the need for increased public awareness of NEP services. Appendix, references