Injection Drug Users and HIV Risk Behaviors: Criminal Justice Professionals' Role in Identifying and Responding to Risk Behaviors

• NCJ Number: 173681
• Journal: Journal of Crime & Justice Volume: 21 Issue: 1 Dated: 1998 Pages: 1-22
• Author(s): R Tewksbury; G F Vito; S Cummings
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 22 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: United States Conference of Mayors
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study attempts to determine risks for HIV infection among traditional high-risk populations.

Abstract

The study used data from a community-wide assessment of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors to determine risks for HIV infection among traditional high-risk populations. It examined the multiple avenues to infection that threaten a sample of self-identified injection drug users, and considered the role of criminal justice practitioners in controlling and reducing the likelihood of HIV transmission by that population. Three risk factors put injection drug users at significantly increased risk of contracting HIV and transmitting it to others: high rates of high-risk sexual activities, negative attitudes regarding HIV risk-reduction activities, and low levels of knowledge concerning HIV. Policy makers should reevaluate traditional methods of compelling interactions between offenders and revise their means and systems for communicating information about HIV to injection drug-using offenders. Tables, notes, references