The role of safer injection facilities in the response to HIV/AIDS among injection drug users.
Many cities throughout the globe are experiencing ongoing infectious disease and overdose epidemics among injection drug users (IDUs). In particular, HIV has become endemic among IDUs in many settings. In an effort to reduce this and related public health concerns, medically supervised safer injecting facilities (SIFs), where IDUs can inject pre-obtained illicit drugs under the supervision of medical staff, have been established in several countries. The following review assesses the role that SIFs can play in reducing the harms associated with HIV infection among IDUs and points to ways in which SIFs can be further developed to better respond to the challenges associated with HIV/AIDS among this population.
Kerr
Thomas
T
BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, University of British Columbia, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 1Y6, Canada. uhri@cfenet.ubc.ca
Kimber
Jo
J
Debeck
Kora
K
Wood
Evan
E
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000379:methods*; D016485:Needle Sharing; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*