Illicit Drug Use and HIV Protection.

AIDS prevention; HIV infections; DRUG abuse; NEEDLE exchange programs; PUBLIC health; AMERICAN Public Health Association; PREVENTION of bloodborne infections; COMMUNITY health services; PREVENTIVE health services; PREVENTIVE medicine; GOVERNMENT policy

The article presents a policy statement of The American Public Health Association concerning illicit drug use and HIV protection. The association recognizes the harm that drug use brings to the individual and society, and the danger in needles and syringes sharing in increasing the transmission of HIV infection. As such, the association urges sufficient funding be given for drug abuse prevention efforts. Further, the association calls on local and state governments to ensure that prevention programs, such as needle distribution and needle exchange, be complementary to the drug abuse treatment system.