Drug Abuse and HIV Prevention Research: Expanding Paradigms and Network Contributions to Risk Reduction

The current paradigm for HIV and drug prevention research is going through a rapid expansion that includes the use of social network theory, methods, and practical implications. Most epidemiologic and prevention research on HIV/AIDS transmission, substance abuse, and high risk behaviors has been conducted in urban settings targeting injection drug users (Castro, Valdiserri, & Curran, 1992), gay/bisexual groups, the sexual partners of injection drug users, or other high risk individuals. In the recent past, some attention has also been given to HIV infection moving into smaller towns and rural areas (Gardner et al. 1989, Conway et al., 1992, Woods et al., 1992, Trotter et al., 1994). These studies emphasize that HIV infection is most commonly spread through multiple person use of contaminated injection equipment and through unprotected sexual relationships.