DRUG-USE AND CORRELATES AMONG SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASE PATIENTS, EMERGENCY ROOM PATIENTS, AND ARRESTEES

This paper reports the results of a study on the use of illicit drugs and related problems in groups that are often considered hidden popula tions at high risk for drug abuse. Face-to-face interviews were conduc ted in 1992-94 with 5,168 subjects from sexually transmitted disease ( STD) clinics, hospital emergency rooms (ER), and jails in Los Angeles County, California. Extensive drug involvement and other HIV-risk beha viors were reported by all three samples. Excluding marijuana, crack a nd cocaine were the most prevalent drugs used; the rate of positive co caine urinalysis was 8.5% for STD subjects, 18.1% for ER subjects, and 52.8% for the arrestees. About 40% of the subjects from both STDs and jails and 27% from ERs reported three or more sex partners in the pas t year. About 41% of STD and 49% of ER samples also reported having ar rest records. Current use of heroin and cocaine was highly associated with multiple sex partners and an arrest record. The study confirmed t he high prevalence of drug abuse and other high-risk behaviors in thes e samples. The importance of targeting these groups for early identifi cation and intervention is underscored.