Sheri M. Shimizu, MS¹, Suzette Smetka, MPH¹, and Don DesJarlais, PhD². (1) Research Coordinator, The CHOW Project, 33 S. King Street, Suite 313, Honolulu, HI 96813, 808-848-2469, sherishi@hawaii.edu, (2) Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, First Avenue at16th Street, New York City, NY 10003

Background: As of December 2003, more than one third (35%) of the 859,000 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) reported to the CDC were directly or indirectly associated with injection drug use. In Hawai'i, only 17% of AIDS cases are related to injection drug use. This relatively low percentage can be credited to the proactive efforts to implement HIV prevention programs for injecting drug users (IDUs) in Hawai'i. In particular, the Community Health Outreach Work (CHOW) Project and the Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) were begun early in the HIV epidemic. This report summarizes the Hawai段 SEP activities from the beginning of its implementation to the present and reports on the results of its annual cross-sectional surveys. Methods: Each year approximately 150 research interviews are conducted from a randomly selected group of clients who attend the Hawai段 SEP. Data from these interviews are gathered to obtain more information about drug use, HIV risk behavior, and other characteristics of the SEP clients. Results: The findings show a great expansion in the activity and services provided by the Hawai段 SEP. The number of syringes distributed rose from 2,018 syringes in the first year of the SEP operation to 468,379 syringes distributed in 2003. Since 1992, there have been a low percentage of positive HIV tests (approximately 1%) among persons noting injection drug use as a risk behavior in Hawai段. Conclusions: The Hawai段 SEP is notable in its continuing success in limiting HIV transmission among IDUs in Hawai段.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognize syringe exchange programs as an effective means of HIV prevention.
• Describe a rising epidemic in Hawaii and discuss the preventive measures that are being taken.
• Discuss risk factors associated with HIV, HCV, and HBV in the injection drug using population.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Community Health Outreach Work (CHOW) Project Hawaii State Department of Health
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment