Needle-sharing among intravenous drug users in New Orleans

We studied needle sharing among intravenous drug users in New Orleans, where needles are not controlled by prescription. Three hundred and eighty self-identified intravenous drug users were interviewed regarding needle-sharing practices, frequency of drug use, and drug(s) of choice. Overall, 65.8% a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	The Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society Vol. 143; no. 6; p. 18
Main Authors:	Lawrence, D W, Lawrence, M D, Atkinson, W L, Risi, G F, Lauro, A J
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-06-1991
Subjects:	Adult Female Humans Louisiana Male Needles Substance Abuse, Intravenous Louisiana
Online Access:	Get more information
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Summary:	We studied needle sharing among intravenous drug users in New Orleans, where needles are not controlled by prescription. Three hundred and eighty self-identified intravenous drug users were interviewed regarding needle-sharing practices, frequency of drug use, and drug(s) of choice. Overall, 65.8% admitted they regularly used needles which had been used by others. No significant differences in needle sharing were found by sex, race, frequency of injection, or drug of choice. A survey of pharmacies found that 85.5% have self-imposed restrictions on the sale of needles and syringes. Legal availability of injection equipment may not be equivalent to actual availability to the consumer.
ISSN:	0024-6921