Injection drug use, HIV/AIDS and incarceration: evidence from the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study

The reliance on law enforcement as the dominant drug policy approach has resulted in record incarceration rates in many countries. Human rights advocates and public health researchers have argued that the risks of HIV transmission resulting from injection drug use within Canadian prisons must be addressed. Despite a decade of advocacy and some progress made, this remains an urgent public health crisis. In light of these concerns, researchers working with the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS) have undertaken a series of studies specific to injection drug use and HIV/AIDS in prisons. This article summarizes the body of evidence generated via VIDUS, discusses briefly the related human rights implications, and concludes with recommendations for action.