Preventing the spread of HIV: The critical role of addiction treatment services

Addiction treatment programs play a critical role in HIV prevention because they reduce drug use, the frequency of injection, and unsafe practices. In some instances, however, people who use drugs and want treatment, do not enter treatment or stay in treatment because of the policies and practices of the program. Relatively little is known about these policies and practices, and specifically and how they might act as barriers to access and retention, in some cases, but facilitators in others. Even less is known about potential unsafe drug and sexual health practices when people who use drugs do not or cannot access/stay in addiction treatment programs because of policy and practice barriers. Our qualitative research will help to fill these gaps in our knowledge. The research will take place in the four Atlantic Provinces, and we will speak to people who use drugs about their perspectives and experiences of program policies and practices. In addition, we will ask about safer/unsafe drug and sexual health practices among those who do not access/stay in treatment because of policy and practice barriers. Perspectives on policies and practices will also be obtained from family of choice/family members; staff at community-based organizations providing harm reduction services; and, directors and/or physicians working at addiction treatment programs. Results from this study will be discussed in workshops and forums with people who use drugs and key stakeholders, including policy-makers. Suggestions and recommendations will be made for potential changes, modifications and/or additions to policies and practices. The workshops and forums will also provide the opportunity to discuss possible HIV prevention efforts for people who use drugs who may be at risk of unsafe practices when they cannot access/stay in treatment.