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. 1997 May;87(5):854–856. doi: 10.2105/ajph.87.5.854

Injection drug use among homeless adults with severe mental illness.

E Susser 1, P Betne 1, E Valencia 1, S M Goldfinger 1, A F Lehman 1
PMCID: PMC1381065  PMID: 9184521

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study examined injection drug use among homeless men and women with severe mental illness in two sites. METHODS: The data were drawn from related clinical trials conducted in Baltimore (101 men, 49 women) and Boston (85 men, 33 women). RESULTS: The percentages of homeless men with a history of injection drug use were 26% in Baltimore and 16% in Boston; the corresponding rates among homeless women were 8% and 6%. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these and previous results suggest high lifetime prevalences of injection drug use-and associated risks of HIV transmission-in this elusive population.

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Selected References

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