Injection drug user cultural competency: Toward a collaborative provider/consumer model of services

Injection Drug Users (IDUs) are at risk for acquiring and transmitting HIV through shared injection equipment and risky sexual behaviors. As the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief notes, this dual vulnerability necessitates the response of programs designed to meet the specific prevention needs of IDUs. However, service providers often unintentionally perpetuate drug user stigma, particularly in their work with IDUs. This stigma poses significant barriers to IDUs accessing prevention services and care.

Providing IDU-culturally competent services will reduce drug user stigma, improve client/provider communication, and ultimately improve client and community health. The Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC) has considerable experience providing technical assistance to communities impacted by drug use, and has developed a set of principles and practical applications for reducing IDU stigma and practicing IDU Cultural Competency.

The six principles of IDU cultural competency are (1) understand the role of stigma in drug users' lives, (2) recognize the multiple social inequalities faced by IDUs, (3) provide non-judgmental and non-coercive services, (4) practice compassionate pragmatism rather than moral idealism, (5) ensure that the communities served have a real voice in the creation of programs and policies, and (6) embrace a multi-tiered, collaborative model.

This session will explore the spirit and meaning of these principles, as well as strategies for their practical application. Practicing IDU Cultural Competency entails a multi-tiered, collaborative model in which individuals, communities, and agencies take steps to engage IDUs in comprehensive, compassionate services.