African-American injection drug users: tensions and barriers in HIV/AIDS prevention.

This exploratory study utilized a focus group methodology to explore tensions and barriers in HIV/AIDS prevention among African-American injection drug users. Participants discussed HIV infection risks, national/community HIV prevention effectiveness, prevention barriers, ideas on barrier removal, and the tensions which exist between users and the larger African-American community. Recognizing the inevitability of continued drug use for many injectors, participants requested basic harm-reduction supplies including condoms, needle exchange programs, additional drug user treatment services, and the use of culturally- and gender-matched peer-led prevention and treatment outreach.

Provision of drug treatment services in the juvenile justice system: a system reform.

This article proposes a systemic reform of the organizational structure and delivery of substance abuse services for adolescents within the juvenile justice system. It first discusses the impact of substance use on the juvenile justice system and then reviews which drug treatment programs and services are currently available. Following an evaluation of the most effective drug treatment programs and modalities, recommendations for system reform are given.

BACUP--the first two years: evaluation of a national cancer information service.

The cancer information service of the British Association of Cancer United Patients (BACUP) was launched in October 1985 as a national service to patients and their relatives, the public, and health professionals. Information is provided by telephone and letter by seven nurses trained in oncology. In the first two years over 30,000 inquiries were received: 23,527 (80%) were from women; 9445 (32%) were from cancer patients 11,574 (39%) from relatives of patients, and 2869 (10%) from health professionals.

Gonadal function in men treated for acute leukaemia.

Gonadal function was assessed in eight men in remission of leukaemia who had completed treatment eight months to eight years previously. All four men treated for acute myeloid leukaemia had normal sperm counts and motility, compared with only one of the four with acute lymphatic or undifferentiated leukaemia. Hormonal studies indicated that the sterility resulted from gonadal failure rather than pituitary dysfunction after cranial irradiation.

Gonadal function in Hodgkin's disease: long-term follow-up of chemotherapy.

A long-term study of gonadal function was conducted in 46 men and 28 women in prolonged remission of advanced Hodgkin's disease after cyclical combination chemotherapy with nitrogen mustard, vinblastine, prednisolone, and procarbazine. The mean follow-up was 6.9 years.