Stemming the Spread of HIV among IV Drug Users, their Sexual Partners, and Children: Issues and Opportunities for Criminal Justice Agencies

Abstract

In some urban areas, over 50% of all IV drug users test positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. These infected IV drug users put at risk uninfected drug users with whom they share injection equipment, sexual partners through unprotected sexual intercourse, and children through perinatal transmission. Many—sometimes a majority—of these IV drug users come into contact with the criminal justice system (CJS) and thus become potential targets for programs aimed at educating high-risk individuals about the risk of AIDS and teaching steps that can be taken to reduce those risks. These programs present an opportunity and a burden for the CJS at all stages: pretrial, incarceration, and community supervision.