Calgary's needle exchange program: profile of injection drug users

This report provides a baseline description of a sample of injection drug users who are clients of a needle exchange program in Calgary, Alberta. The results of the study suggest a relatively older, predominantly male clientele who reported heavy and sustained use of drugs, particularly cocaine. Despite a high level of awareness of the basic modes of HIV transmission, many respondents still engaged in high risk injection practices and/or sexual practices. In addition, self-perception of risk was much lower than reported behaviour would indicate. Three percent of the sample were HIV+ at the time of the interview. In addition to providing a baseline for further evaluation, the results of this study can be used by program planners to target interventions more effectively.