The presentation will provide results from the first year of a three year state-wide effort to examine gaps in services to African-American and white injection drug users (IDUs) in five domains: (a) health care, (b) health insurance, (c) housing, (d) pre-treatment services and (e) employment in order to increase their success in substance abuse treatment. The entrance of this population into treatment is particularly critical at this point in time since drug treatment is perceived to be a key method for limiting the spread of HIV/AIDS among IDUs. The data presented is obtained using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. First, the study combines a number of state level administrative data bases which contain information on substance abuse treatment utilization, enhanced outreach and needle exchange utilization, health insurance coverage, frequency and type of medical hospitalizations, and a number of other data on use of services. The effort tracks all IDUs who enter the Massachusetts substance abuse treatment system during the proposed study period and examines their substance abuse treatment and service needs. Hierarchical linear modeling is used to explore within and between program effects. Second, through semi-structured in-person interviews with 40 African-American IDUs, the qualitative component will identify how IDUs with differing substance abuse treatment histories perceive service gaps and barriers in the areas of treatment, health care, health insurance, employment and housing. Overall, the key learning objective is to present a comprehensive needs-assessment model to improve and expand services targeted to prevent the spread of HIV among IDUs.
Learning Objectives: To present a comprehensive needs-assessment model to improve and expand services targeted to prevent the spread of HIV among IDUs
Keywords: Injection Drug Users, Substance Abuse Treatment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.