Aids Prevention: Criminal Justice Involvement of Intravenous Drug Abusers Entering Methadone Treatment

The criminal justice system provides access to large numbers of intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs) for AIDS prevention activities. Data from a study of IVDAs entering methadone treatment suggest that criminal justice (CJ) involved IVDAs (probation, parole or released on bond) are somewhat more deviant, relative to HIV behaviors, than subjects not CJ involved, but these differences are minimal. This study suggests that CJ involved can be as responsive to AIDS prevention efforts as IVDAs not CJ involved and emphasizes community HIV prevention focused on needle use and sexual behaviors for IVDAs and their sexual partners.