AEGiS-14IAC: Injected cocaine, free base and glue; harm reduction programmes among marginal argentinean population.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Injected cocaine, free base and glue; harm reduction programmes among marginal argentinean population.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. WeOrE1360)

Inchaurraga S, Hurtado G, Escudero M, Trincheri N, Rossi M, Rossi M, Quevedo S
Argentinean Harm Reduction Association - Asociacion de Reduccion de Danos de la Argentina (ARDA), Buenos Aires, Argentina

ISSUE: It is strong link between poverty in urban population areas known as shantytowns and growing of drug selling, distribution and use of drugs in Argentina. Social and health harms related to drugs seems to be increasing, specially on intravenous drug users (IDU) and disadvantaged populations. In this sector the drug use commencement reported is at early ages, usually above or near 10 years old. 40% of all AIDS cases are related to IDU and HIV is spreading disproportionally in these populations with low access and culture of heath services use. -

DESCRIPTION: A Harm Reduction and HIV/AIDS Prevention Program for poor neighborhoods and shantytowns of the main argentinean cities began on 2001 created by the Argentinean Harm Reduction Association (ARDA) with the involvement of the drug users Argentinean Network RADDUD and the support of LUSIDA - National Ministry of Health. The program involves harm reduction interventions based on the target population codes and languaje; brochures about safe use and safe sex, information on the drugs of major use in this areas and delivering of injection kits for IDU. The program goal is to reduce drugs related harms and risks related to combinations, unsafe use, lack of knowing about purity and ways of using more safetly. Outreach is focused on é street language é ½ . Posters and stickers are added to let them know local contacts of the area. The interventions have as key point the distribution of injection equipment with the message of the Program é If you do it; do it well é ½ -

ISSUES: The program has regional, national and local impact, being adressed to the most disadvantaged groups. It shows the key role of interventions runed by a harm reduction organization and involving drug users -

RECOMMENDATIONS: evaluation, support expansion and continuity of the program and development of new material associated with poly drug use. Actually another cities are planning their involvement in the program for the next phase

Keywords: AEGIS, Substance Abuse, Intravenous, Harm Reduction, Cocaine, HIV Infections, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV, Substance-Related Disorders, HIV Seroprevalence, Anti-HIV Agents, Poverty, Culture, Argentina

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