NCJ Number
109900
Editor(s)
R S Asnery
Date Published
1986
Length
102 pages
Annotation
Workshop units and information excerpts from publications of the National Institute on Drug Abuse are designed to help drug treatment workers understand all aspects of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and related risk assessment and treatment planning for clients.
Abstract
Introductory material reviews the prevalence of AIDS among intravenous (IV) drug abusers and the responsibility of drug treatment programs to notify spouse and cohabitants of IV drug users who test positive for the AIDS virus, within the parameters of patient-confidentiality laws. One workshop unit provides accurate and current information about AIDS and its causal virus. This includes a historical overview of AIDS, how the AIDS virus attacks the immune system, how the virus is transmitted, the spectrum of responses of those infected with the virus, and risk behaviors and other factors associated with AIDS infection. Two other workshop units focus on primary AIDS prevention efforts to be conducted with each drug program client. The recommended three-tiered approach is client education about AIDS and behaviors to reduce the risk of infection; assessment that engages each client in examining personal risk for infection and the potential for transmitting the virus to others; and intervention to reduce risky behaviors, the development of full-blown AIDS, and further transmission of the virus.