title: Needle-sharing among intravenous drug users in New Orleans.
abstract: We studied needle sharing among intravenous drug users in New Orleans, where needles are not controlled by prescription. Three hundred and eighty self-identified intravenous drug users were interviewed regarding needle-sharing practices, frequency of drug use, and drug(s) of choice. Overall, 65.8% admitted they regularly used needles which had been used by others. No significant differences in needle sharing were found by sex, race, frequency of injection, or drug of choice. A survey of pharmacies found that 85.5% have self-imposed restrictions on the sale of needles and syringes. Legal availability of injection equipment may not be equivalent to actual availability to the consumer.
authors.affiliation: Disability Prevention/Injury Control Program, Louisiana Office of Public Health, New Orleans.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Risi
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lauro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous