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Warning: This webpage contains links to graphic material and blunt language concerning injection drug use, which some people may find offensive and disturbing.   If you are one of these, please do not proceed.

    All information used in the table above is from the HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report Midyear Edition Vol 9 No 1. 

* It is estimated that over 750,000 Americans are infected with HIV.  The 86,000 # refers to reported cases only.

** Estimates of HIV infection due to IV drug use range from 250,000 to 400,000.  The 15,000# refers to reported cases only.

     Although I do not recommend injecting dope, I do want people to be informed so they can do it as safely and cleanly as possible.  As an HIV+   former heroin user, I feel that I have a responsibility to other users to help them protect themselves. 

     If you are injecting drugs, know someone who is, or even know someone who has a friend...then please do not share needles or injection equipment!  Find out if there is a local needle exchange program in your area, and use it; who cares what people may think, this could save your life.   If there isn't a program in your area, then find out if you live in a state where you can buy syringes over the counter, or even ask your doctor to write you a prescription.  At the very least learn how to clean your needles with bleach.  Just try to protect yourself.  

     Below are articles about needle exchange programs, information on vein care and safe injection practices, information on cleaning needles with bleach,  links to needle exchange programs on the web, and info on where to go to get into drug rehab programs or get tested for HIV.

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Articles

My paper on NEP's    It's a little old but is still a good overview of what a good program includes                                    and on their effectiveness.

The Gov     Information on what the U.S. government is doing (or not doing) on the needle                     exchange issues.

Information on the effectiveness of NEP's   More articles & links on this very important issue.

Hepatitis C   An article with info about another virus that drug users can get.

MetroActive     Online article from a magazine in Santa Cruz about heroin use there and the local                            NEP   (has a couple of graphic pictures).

There are lots of articles out there, and I can't link to all of them.  If you want to find out more then please use a search engine or go to your local library.

Search the net for more info on Needle Exchange Programs

 Alta Vista           Lycos            Excite              Yahoo!

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Information on safe injection practices

Guide to cleaning needles   Information and a diagram on how to keep your syringes cleaner.

Safe Injection/ Vein Care   An extremely graphic intensive guide to safer injection by the Safe                                           Works AIDS Project (an NEP in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area.)

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Links to NEP's

Prevention Point Philadelphia

NYC Needle Exchanges

Chicago Recovery Alliance

Needle Exchange in Western Massachusetts

RI Pilot Needle Exchange

New Haven Health Department

Safe Works AIDS Project - Minneapolis

San Diego Clean Needle Exchange

Santa Cruz Needle Exchange Program

Prevention Point - San Francisco

Seattle Community Network

North American Syringe Exchange Network

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Where To Go

To get tested for HIV or to get more info on HIV/AIDS

CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse Resources and Services Database   A search page that will         direct you to HIV testing sites if you enter a location.  Looks complicated but all you have to          do is specify "HIV testing" enter a state and then under organization type select clinic.

HIV | InSite | Key Topics   An excellent site by the University of California at San Francisco.                        This link takes you directly to their page on HIV testing, but there are links                       there so you can check out the whole site.

ĘGIS     The largest HIV/AIDS database in the world.  Excellent site, has an article with lots of                 useful info on what to do if you just found out you are HIV+  called "AIDS 101".

To get info on drug rehab programs

LocalEyes: : Chemical Dependency Treatment Centers  Its the closest thing I could find to a                                                                                       nationwide guide.

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