Injecting drug users' experiences of policing practices in two Mexican-U.S. border cities: public health perspectives.
BACKGROUND
Previous research has identified the impact of law enforcement practices on the behaviours and health of injection drug users (IDUs). We undertook a qualitative study of IDUs' experiences of policing practices in two Mexican cities on the U.S. border.


METHODS
In 2004, two teams of Mexican interviewers conducted in-depth interviews with IDUs residing in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez (Cd. Juarez), Mexico, who had injected drugs at least once in the prior month. Topics included types of drug used, injection settings, access to sterile needles and experiences with police. Field notes and transcribed interviews were analysed to identify emergent themes.


RESULTS
Amongst the 43 participants, most reported that it is common for IDUs to be arrested and detained for 36h for carrying sterile or used syringes. Most reported that they or someone they knew had been beaten by police. Interviews suggested five key themes relating to police influence on the risk environment: (1) impact of policing practices on accessibility of sterile syringes, (2) influence of police on choice of places to inject drugs (e.g., shooting galleries), (3) police violence, (4) police corruption and (5) perceived changes in policing practices.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that some behaviour of police officers in Tijuana and Cd. Juarez is inconsistent with legal norms and may be negatively influencing the risk of acquiring blood-borne infections amongst IDUs. Implementing a comprehensive and successful HIV prevention programme amongst IDUs requires interventions to influence the knowledge, attitudes and practices of law enforcement officers.
Miller
Cari L
CL
University of California School of Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Division of International Health & Cross-Cultural Medicine, USA.
Firestone
Michelle
M
Ramos
Rebeca
R
Burris
Scott
S
Ramos
Maria Elena
ME
Case
Patricia
P
Brouwer
Kimberly C
KC
Fraga
Miguel Angel
MA
Strathdee
Steffanie A
SA
D000328:Adult; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D035846:Law Enforcement; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D016495:Police; D011634:Public Health; D036301:Qualitative Research; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D013594:Syringes; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence