Criminal justice involvement and injection risk among drug users in NYC and NJ

Objectives: This study describes the criminal justice histories of drug users recruited in NYC and NJ and their HIV-related injection risk while incarcerated.

Methods: Participants (n=391) were recruited between 2005-2007 as part of an HIV-related peer intervention. Subjects were methadone patients and current drug users recruited through participant referrals and street-based outreach. Current drug use status for opiates and cocaine was confirmed through urinalysis.

Results: 76% of the sample was male and their mean age was 42. Overall, 79% tested positive for opiates or cocaine and 41% reported injecting drugs in the past 30 days. Participants had an average of 4.2 lifetime drug-related arrests and 52% of the last arrests were for a drug sale or possession charge. Five percent of the sample was currently on parole, 4% on probation and 5% awaiting trial or sentence. Of those ever incarcerated, 29% reported using non-injection drugs and 7% injected drugs while in detention. Among the latter, 57% shared syringes or injection related equipment while incarcerated.

Discussion: A substantial proportion of drug users continue to use drugs while incarcerated. Though they are a relatively small subgroup of users in detention, persons who inject drugs while incarcerated report risk behaviors that put them at very high risk of HIV and HCV infection, indicating the need for risk reduction services in detention facilities.