HOMELESSNESS AMONG INJECTING DRUG-USERS - IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SPREAD OF AIDS

Injecting drug users are now the fastest‐growing group of people with AIDS. It is mainly through sharing contaminated injecting equipment that drug users transmit infection. Research is showing that while many are reducing the risk of infection through ceasing to share needles, or sharing with a limited number of people, there are some who disregard the dangers and continue to share. In a project that investigated the HIV‐related risk behaviour of injecting drug users, homelessness was found to be significantly associated with heavy drug use, recent involvement in crime, disorganization in daily life and high levels of sharing. The problems of promoting harm reduction among the homeless are discussed and some recommendations made. Copyright © 1991 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd