C. Amalia Marrero, MPH¹, Rafaela R. Robles, EdD², Hector M. Colon, PhD³, Juan C. Reyes, EdD², José M. Calderón, MS¹, and Elizabeth W. Shepard, MPH¹. (1) Center for Addiction Studies, Universidad Central del Caribe, P.O. Box 60327, Bayamón, PR 00960-6032, 787-288-0200, amarrero@uccaribe.edu, (2) Center for Addiction Studies, School of Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, PO Box 60327, Bayamón, PR 00960-6032, (3) Center for Addiction Studies, Universidad Central del Caribe, PO Box 60327, Bayamon, PR 00960-6032

Introduction: In 1998, over half (56 %) of all persons admitted to drug treatment in publicly funded facilities in the US mainland reported abuse of at least one substance in addition to their primary substance. The present study examined patterns and correlates of polydrug use in a sample of 400 street-recruited injection drug users (IDUs) in the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Methods: Participants were interviewed to assess sociodemographics, family and socioeconomic stress; health related quality of life, (as measured by the SF-30), depression symptoms, and drug use related variables. Polydrug use was defined as reported use (during the week prior to the interview) of at least one substance in addition to the primary drug of injection. Substances that were considered in this study were alcohol, marihuana, cocaine, heroin, speedball, ecstasy and non-prescribed tranquilizers. Results: Of the total sample, 15% reported use of one drug, 58.0% reported use of two or three different drugs, and 27.0% reported use of four or more different drugs. Multivariate analysis indicated that recent injectors (less than 5 years), poor quality of life, and socioeconomic stress were independently associated with higher rates of polydrug use. Conversely, depression symptoms were not associated with polydrug use among this sample. Conclusion: These findings suggest that drug use reduction programs should consider more seriously the role of socioeconomic stress in efforts to persuade drug users to reduce polydrug use, especially among recent injectors.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the main patterns of polydrug use among injection drug users.
• Recognize the role of socieconomic and health related variables associated with polydrug use.
• Discuss the implications of polydrug use for the design of drug treatment programs.

Keywords: Injection Drug Users, Stress

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.