Anyone is vulnerable to contracting HIV. And while injecting drug users (IDUs) are still at great risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol is at heightened risk. This includes IDUs who share contaminated syringes or injection paraphernalia, as well as anyone who engages in unsafe sex (e.g., multiple partners, unprotected sex) or “transactional” sex (e.g., trading sex for drugs or money) that could expose them to infection.

A person infected with HIV has a virus that lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells, which are part of the immune system. An infected person may look and feel fine for many years and may not even be aware of the infection. However, as the immune system weakens, the individual becomes more vulnerable to illnesses and common infections. Over time, the untreated HIV patient is likely to succumb to multiple, concurrent illnesses and develop AIDS. Recent developments have led to better treatments for HIV infection, the most effective being a strategy known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Approximately 4 out of 10 U.S. AIDS deaths are related to drug abuse.