The New Jersey State Department of Health developed a program to test the following hypotheses: (1) numerous heroin addicts will respond to free detoxification treatment offered through a coupon program, (2) a substantial number of these patients will continue in treatment beyond the free detoxification attempt, and (3) participation in an AIDS education session can increase the knowledge level of intravenous drug abusers regarding this disease. Eighty-four percent of the 970 distributed coupons were redeemed for detoxification treatment. Twenty-eight percent of the program participants continued in treatment after the free detoxification period, and the AIDS information session significantly increased the knowledge of participating addicts.
Intravenous drug use is the single largest exposure category among women with AIDS in the United States (51%). Tragically, there may be insufficient appreciation of the issues unique to IV drug usage among women. Few drug treatment programs are specifically designed for women, and fewer still are aimed at HIV positive women. Treatment models relevant to women in light of the AIDS epidemic should: include changes in admission criteria and treatment methods; provide comprehensive services (including parenting and employment skills workshops and access to health care); and incorporate research and evaluation components with planned dissemination of results.
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