NCJ Number
190739
Date Published
December 2000
Length
76 pages
Annotation
This document focuses on preventing blood-borne infections among injection drug users (IDUs).
Abstract
Blood-borne infections, such as AIDS, hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV), are transmitted primarily through two routes – sharing contaminated syringes, needles, and other drug injection equipment, and having unprotected sex with infected individuals. Through both types of risk behaviors, IDUs are an important factor in the continuing evolution of these epidemics. The public health community must focus attention on ways in which it can more effectively reach and influence IDUs. The public health community must intensify efforts to develop and carry out prevention and treatment strategies directed to IDUs and their sex partners and children. The eight strategies included in this approach are: substance abuse treatment; community outreach; interventions to increase access to sterile syringes; interventions in the criminal justice system; strategies to prevent sexual transmission; counseling and testing, and prevention case management; coordinated services for IDUs living with HIV/AIDS; and primary drug prevention. These eight strategies are supported by four cross-cutting principles: ensuring coordination and collaboration; ensuring coverage, access, and quality; recognizing and overcoming stigma; and tailoring services and programs. If this problem is to be effectively addressed, many different groups, organizations, and individuals must work singly and together to focus on both epidemics. 76 references, 2 appendices