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During the past 15 years, NIDA research on the co-occurring epidemics
of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS has yielded a set of prevention principles
to guide community planners, policymakers, service providers, and medical
practitioners. To foster widespread application of these science-based
principles in programs to prevent the spread of HIV and other infections
among drug users and their sexual partners, NIDA has prepared a new handbook:
Principles of HIV Prevention in Drug-Using
Populations.
NIDA research on the co-occurring epidemics of
drug abuse and HIV/AIDS has yielded a set of prevention principles
to guide community planners, policymakers, service providers, and
medical practitioners. |
Scheduled for release in summer 2002, the handbook summarizes the overarching
principles that characterize effective HIV/AIDS prevention in drug-using
populations, elaborates on these principles in a "frequently asked questions"
section, describes the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS risk behaviors, and provides
an overview of related, NIDA-supported research programs. The 17 science-based
prevention principles are:
HIV prevention interventions must be personalized for each individual at risk. |
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Reducing the risk of HIV/AIDS in drug users is an achievable goal.
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A community must start HIV/AIDS prevention programs as soon as possible.
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Effective prevention programs require a comprehensive range of coordinated
services.
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Prevention programs should work with the community to plan and implement
interventions and services.
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Prevention programs must be based on a thorough, continuing assessment
of local community needs, and the effectiveness and impact of these
programs must be continually assessed.
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Prevention services can most effectively reach drug-using populations
when they are available in a variety of locations and at a range of
operating times.
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Prevention and treatment efforts should target drug users who already
have HIV infection, as well as their sex partners.
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Prevention efforts must target not only individuals, but also couples,
social networks, and the broader community of drug users and their
sex partners.
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Community-based outreach is an essential component of HIV/AIDS prevention
and must be directed to drug users in their own neighborhoods.
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Prevention interventions must be personalized for each person at
risk.
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Drug users and their sex partners must be treated with dignity and
respect and with sensitivity to cultural, racial/ethnic, age, and
gender-based characteristics.
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As part of a comprehensive HIV prevention program, injection drug
users should have ready access to sterile injection equipment to reduce
their use of previously used injection equipment.
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In a comprehensive program, interventions that target injection risk
must address sharing other injection equipment in addition to syringes.
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While necessary, risk-reduction information alone cannot help drug
users and their sex partners make lasting behavioral changes.
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Prevention efforts must address the risks of transmitting HIV and
other infections sexually as well as through drug injection.
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HIV/AIDS risk-reduction interventions must be sustained over time.
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Community-based prevention is cost-effective.
Volume 17, Number 1 (April 2002)
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