Table 2.
Characteristics and social context of injection events among young female IDUs who inject ketamine (N = 30).
| First injection of any drug | First ketamine injection | |
|---|---|---|
| n (%) | n (%) | |
| Type of drug | ||
| Heroin | 16 (53.3) | 0 (—) |
| Ketamine | 0 (—) | 30 (100) |
| Methamphetamine | 8 (26.7) | 0 (—) |
| Cocaine | 4 (13.3) | 0 (—) |
| Other∗ | 2 (6.6) | 0 (—) |
| Using group | ||
| Median size (range) | 2.0 (1–5) | 2.0 (1–15) |
| Injected alone | 2 (6.7) | 2 (6.7) |
| Injection was planned | 16 (53.3) | 7 (23.3) |
| (n = 29) | ||
| Paid for drug | 6 (20.7) | 10 (33.3) |
| (n = 29) | ||
| Syringe source | ||
| Primary | 9 (30.0) | 15 (50.0) |
| Secondary | 18 (60.0) | 14 (46.7) |
| Unknown | 3 (10.0) | 1 (3.3) |
| Injection equipment status | ||
| Previously used syringe | 1 (3.3) | 4 (13.3) |
| Cleaned the syringe before use | 0 (—) | 3 (75.0) |
| Used equipment | 19 (63.3) | 22 (73.3) |
| Who prepared the drug?∗∗ | ||
| Self | 6 (20.0) | 11 (36.7) |
| Other | 24 (80.0) | 21 (70.0) |
| Friend/acquaint. | 14 (58.3) | 17 (81.0) |
| Stranger | 0 (—) | 0 (—) |
| Girlfriend/boyfriend | 11 (45.8) | 4 (19.0) |
| Family member | 0 (—) | 0 (—) |
| Who injected you with the drug?∗∗ | ||
| Self | 5 (16.7) | 24 (80.0) |
| Other | 25 (83.3) | 6 (20.0) |
| Friend/acquaint. | 13 (52.0) | 4 (66.7) |
| Stranger | 0 (—) | 0 (—) |
| Girlfriend/boyfriend | 12 (48.0) | 2 (33.3) |
| Family member | 0 (—) | 0 (—) |
*Includes alcohol, speedball, Ritalin, morphine, and Dilaudid.
∗∗Categories are not mutually exclusive.