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This study uses routine activity theory to examine violent and property crime victimization among a sample of 308 injection drug users (IDUs). We estimate prevalence rates and identify factors that contribute to the victimization of IDUs. The findings suggest that victimization rates of IDUs were much higher than rates found for the general urban population. Generally, crime involvement did not contribute significantly to victimization risk. Use of crack-cocaine increased the likelihood of property crime victimization whereas heroin use decreased the probability of both violent and property crime victimization. Other drug lifestyle activities (i.e., waiting in uncomfortable situations to buy drugs) also affected victimization risk Finally, the results suggest that victimization differed by age and by gender, despite controls for drug use and drug lifestyle activities. Explanations for these results are offered.

As part of a project to reduce risk of HIV-1 infection/transmission among IV drug users (IVDUs) and sexual partners (SPs) of IVDUs, individuals not currently in drug treatment were recruited, tested for HIV-1, and interviewed about risk factors for AIDS and history of various health conditions. Of the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), gonorrhea, syphilis and genital sores were common. Of non-STDs, pneumonia, and hepatitis were reported most often. Among IVDUs, most STDs were more common in seropositives and subjects with multiple sexual partners. Among SPs, serostatus was related to gonorrhea and syphilis. IVDUs had more endocarditis and hepatitis than SPs, and overall, more STDs. These data suggest that IV drug-using and sexual behaviors need targeted interventions to reduce the prevalence of associated diseases.

The purpose of this paper is to characterize persons who sniff heroin by examining their experiences prior to first heroin use, experiences at first use, current drug use patterns, and factors associated with progression to the daily use of heroin. Relatively little has been published about the lives and career trajectories of heroin sniffers who have little or no history of drug injection. A sample of 250 African-American, Hispanic/Latino, and non-Hispanic White men and women who sniffed heroin were interviewed for this study. Most people first sniffed heroin in a social setting where heroin use was not preplanned. Heroin sniffing has become a sustained pattern of use for many of these users; the majority have progressed to daily sniffing of heroin and are polydrug users for whom crack is an important substance; and heroin sniffers have experienced a range of life and health problems including a high prevalence of HIV.

This article compares the health care need and health care use of injection drug users, other chronic drug users, and nondrug users. Data from 1,330 non-Hispanic White, African American, and Hispanic/Latino men and women were analyzed to determine independent risk factors for two outcome variables: (a) need for health care treatment and (b) use of health care treatment. Ten independent demographic, health, and drug use variables were assessed in logistic regression models. Drug use (injection drug use or other chronic drug use), being female, having insurance, and perceived health status of very good/good or fair/poor were independently associated with increased need for health care. Injection drug use and other chronic drug use decreased the likelihood of receiving health care treatment, whereas being female, having insurance, and a perceived health status of fair/poor increased the likelihood of receiving health care.