TARGETED HIV RISK REDUCTION IN DRUG TREATMENT DROP-OUTS

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Targeted HIV Risk Reduction in Drug Treatment Dropouts is designed to 1) monitor and understand the nature of HIV risk-taking behaviors among injection drug users and women risk of HIV infection who have dropped out of a local drug treatment agency within 60 days of enrollment 2) compare the efficacy of a three-session, client-driven, peer counselor intervention aimed at reducing HIV risk behaviori in these two populations with a standard intervention. "Injection drug user" is defined as a man or woman who has injected drugs within the last six months. "Woman at risk" is defined as a non-injection drug using woman who is a sexual partner of an injection drug user, or has had multiple sex partners during the last six months, or has traded sex for drugs or money during the last six months. Participants will be identified through a combination of targeted and community outreach. Targeted outreach will draw participants from three local drug treatment agencies who provide a wide range of services, including culturally specific programs and programs tailored to meet the needs of women. Those willing to take part in the study will be randomized in a prospective design to receive either the standard intervention alone or the standard and enhanced intervention. During the project an estimated 1800 participants will be recruited, 900 in the control group and 900 in the treatment group. Existing, highly successful methodology will be used to track participants and obtain follow-up data. Desired outcomes include: return to a client/counselor designed course of drug treatment reduction of injection and other drug use reduction of needle sharing increase of adequate needle sterilization when sharing decrease in unsafe sexual practices. Budget will be $388,038 for Year 1.