Drug injection in Bogotá: a growing threat
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20882/adicciones.373Keywords:
Injection, heroin, HIV, hepatitis, BogotaAbstract
This Project is part of Phase II of the WHO Injected Drug Use and Health Risks worldwide study. The objective was to obtain information on the current nature, extension and implications of injected drug use, in addition to gaining a better understanding of the socio-cultural factors that could influence risk taking. 410 people were interviewed in a sample drawn from Bogota, Colombia (injectors, former injectors, dealers and non-injectors). Subjects were initially contacted in their natural environment and met, subsequently, on private premises for focal groups. Results show that drug injection is more common than previously assumed. Risk behaviours associated with multidrug use, injecting these, and unsafe sex suggest that this population of injectors is a significant source for epidemics such as HIV and hepatitis B and C. The reality of intravenous drug use has been “hidden” and its consequences on the health of those who inject have not been apparent up to now. The potential for a continual spread of such a practice among user networks in the city and the repercussion deriving from this must be taken into consideration by policymakers in implementing services and drawing up interventions.References
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