The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and intravenous drug abuse.

Intravenous drug abusers constitute 25 per cent of the cases of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in adults in the United States of America and 21 per cent of such cases in Europe. The potential for the rapid spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among intravenous drug abusers exists because such drug abusers commonly share drug injection equipment. The heterosexual and perinatal spread of AIDS is also largely associated with intravenous drug abusers, and drug abusers have been identified as a major vector for the spread of the AIDS epidemic as it is associated with intravenous drug abuse.

The clinical connection: drugs and crime.

The relationship between drugs and crime is examined, with emphasis on the clinical importance of combining treatment with criminal justice authority. Selected studies are reviewed, and the historical importance of the criminal justice system for drug abuse treatment is stressed. Examples are used to depict dilemmas surrounding drugs and crime.