Injecting Illicit Drugs Paperback - 2006 - 1st Edition

First line

The history of injecting will never be attributed to just one person because of the involvement of very old practices and the number of people involved in the development over the centuries.

From the rear cover

Injecting Illicit Drugs is the third book in a new collection from Addiction Press. Addiction Press was set up with the express purpose of communicating current ideas and evidence in this expanding field, not only to researches and practising health professionals, but also to policy makers, students and interested non-specialists. These publications are designed to address the significant challenges that addiction presents to modern society.

Injecting drug use is of major concern to both Western and developing nations, causing extensive associated harm at both individual and public health levels. This book provides readers with authoritative an practical information on injecting drug use and the health consequence of this behaviour.

As an efficient rout of drug administration, the sequelae of injecting illicit drugs can be particularly deleterious in nature. The chapters in this book trace the hazards for the drug injector and promote a harm reduction approach to minimise these risks. Socio-cultural issues are considered, such as the ritualisation of injecting behaviour. Lifestyle characteristics of the injecting drug user are also taken into account. Insights from the user perspective are reflected in the last chapter.

Key Features

• Provides contextual information including ethno-epidemiology, historical and pharmaceutical considerations.
• Includes topical issues such as needed fixation, transitions to and from injecting, and illicit drug use in prison settings.
• Documents the relationship between injecting practice and infectious diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis C.
• Explores harm reduction approaches such as safer injecting and supervised injecting rooms.
• Reflects international perspectives from expert contributors.

An invaluable resource for all those working with injecting drug users.