DRUG-USER NETWORKS, COPING STRATEGIES, AND HIV PREVENTION IN THE COMMUNITY

Qualitative data from England illustrate the way coping strategies for m an integral part of the everyday lifestyles of injectors of illicit drugs, Ethnographic investigation of social networks and the rules whi ch underpin them is crucial in devising appropriate community-based in terventions, Such networks are characterized by functional and recipro cal relations, Peer education and health advocacy takes place on an in formal basis, Key figures who adopt these roles should be encouraged t o act as Indigenous Advocates as part of interventions which place dru g users and their everyday fives at the core, Rules and social etiquet tes of networks are not always positive for the public health agenda, as illustrated by the sharing of injecting paraphernalia and the injec ting taboo among the Afro-Caribbean community, Ethnographic study can pinpoint foci for intervention, Harm minimization needs to be promoted using all the resources available, including the informal protective strategies of drug users and outreach interventions aimed at specific issues and targeted toward particular groups.