NCJ Number
198794
Journal
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs Volume: 34 Issue: 3 Dated: July-September 2002 Pages: 289-294
Editor(s)
Richard B. Seymour M.A.,
Terry Chambers B.A.
Date Published
July 2002
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes the willingness to participate in traditional drug treatment services among injection drug users involved in a needle exchange program in Cleveland, Ohio.
Abstract
Over the last decade, needle exchange programs have developed in many areas of the United States. Developed within the harm reduction model to reduce drug-related harm among drug users and their partners, needle exchange programs have been supported due to strong evidence of their effectiveness. However, needle exchange programs have often been identified as outside the realm of possible services for injection drug users. This article provides a description of participants in a needle exchange program adopting a drop-in center model and provides a comprehensive set of ancillary services to a predominantly African-American population of drug injectors. Participants consisted of 61 Xchange Point users, a needle exchange program in Cleveland, Ohio. Both descriptive demographic and psychosocial characteristics of interviewed participants are presented. The most significant and interesting findings involved the participants’ histories and/or desire to engage in drug treatment services. Participants were typically older African-Americans with long histories of injection drug use, who had made some changes but maintained some high-risk behaviors. Eighty-percent of this group was either involved in or verbalized a willingness to be involved in traditional drug treatment services. Further scientific studies are recommended. References