Networks of Hispanic drug users: A comparison between former and current hard drug users

Objective: This study examined differences in network characteristics between those in MMTPs not using heroin and/or cocaine (H/C) and current H/C users.

Methods: Hispanic (mostly Puerto Rican) H/C users (N=387) were recruited in 2005-2007 in NYC and New Jersey, using multiple recruitment methods. Urinalysis for H/C was conducted at recruitment (negative, N=83; positive, N=304). Participants were asked to name up to 5 people for each of the 4 following areas: friends; people with whom they injected drugs (IDU) or used non-injected H/C (NIDU); and sex partners (SP) (during prior 3 months).

Results: 78% male; mean age=41.6; 42% currently injected drugs. Participants named at least 1 person as: friends (60%), IDUs (26%), NIDUs (33%), and SP (69%). Total number of network members ranged from 0 to 13 (none, 12%; 1-2, 43%; 3-4, 27%; and 5-13, 17%). On average, 87% of their network members were Hispanics. More drug use members were named among current drug users than among former users (IDUs: 31% vs. 8%, p<.001; NIDUs: 38% vs. 14%, p<.001). No significant difference was found in SP (70% vs. 65%). Of those who had any network member, for both groups, on average, 17% named family members (p=ns). Of those who had an IDU network member, about half named the same individual in both friend and IDU networks.

Discussions: The findings evidence the importance of network members in drug use behaviors, suggesting that HIV prevention/education programs for users in or out of drug treatment also include network members.