The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71482

Stephen E. Lankenau, PhD¹, Michael Clatts, PhD², and Lloyd Goldsamt, PhD². (1) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W. 168th St., 9th floor, New York, NY 10032, 212-305-5736, sl2056@columbia.edu, (2) Institute for Research on Youth at Risk, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10010

The intravenous injection of crack cocaine is an emerging practice in cities across the United States. While previous research has documented the occurrence of crack injection, few studies have examined a user's rationale for injecting crack, or a user's perception of risk behavior occurring during a recent crack injection event. Ethnographic methods were used to recruit 35 crack injectors in New York. Using a semi-structured interview guide, injectors were asked detailed questions about injection practices, circumstances, risk behaviors, and rationale surrounding their most recent injection of crack cocaine. Injector narratives pointed to several common reasons for injecting crack: obtaining powder cocaine was difficult; acquiring crack cocaine was cheaper; not wanting to smoke crack; and wanting to inject a speedball. Typically, the most recent injection of crack occurred within the past month, was planned, an injection partner prepared the crack for injection, and the injection preceded or followed additional drug use. Lemon juice (citric acid) was the most typical agent used to convert the crack into a soluble solution. Minimal injection paraphernalia sharing was reported during the most recent crack injection event. For most of the sample, injecting crack was not a primary drug using practice. Rather, crack smoking was more common than injecting crack in the past month. Nearly all were current opiate users (including methadone). While few injectors regarded crack injection as a high risk practice, the findings point to additional protective measures that can be integrated into public health strategies to reduce HIV risk among crack injectors.

Learning Objectives:

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, attendees will be able to:
• describe rationales and risk practices among IDUs who inject crack cocaine;
• identify strategies to reduce HIV risk among crack injectors.

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Injecting Drug Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.