Can Public Policies Limit the Spread of HIV Among IV Drug Users? (From AIDS: The Impact on the Criminal Justice System, P 166-179, 1990, Mark Blumberg, ed. -- See NCJ-122746)

• NCJ Number: 122757
• Author(s): R Conviser; J H Rutledge
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Merrill Publishing Co
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from Journal of Drug Issues, V 19, N 1 (Winter 1989), P 113-128

Annotation

Efforts to form policies to limit the spread of HIV among intravenous drug users should recognize that the goals of promoting public health and curtailing drug use are not mutually exclusive.

Abstract

Policy options include punitive measures against addicts and efforts to provide means for addicts to stop sharing needles whether or not they stop using drugs. Nonpunitive approaches offer more promise, however. The three basic nonpunitive strategies are to reduce the demand for needles by bringing addicts into drug detoxification treatment, to supply sterile needles through needle-exchange programs, and to provide drug users with information about sterilizing needles and syringes between uses. The most widespread efforts in the United States have focused on needle sterilization and have used street outreach workers. Evidence exists that such educational efforts decrease needle sharing. However, many additional barriers remain to reducing the spread of HIV both among drug users and to their sexual partners and children. The prevention efforts are unlikely to succeed unless they involve the addicts themselves in changing their behavior. Public health officials and policymakers need to show greater sympathy and understanding and make serious efforts to understand and eradicate the social conditions that give rise to drug addiction in the first place. Reference notes and 20 references.