Age differences in HIV risk behaviors and drug treatment utilization amongdrug users in Kentucky

The purpose of this study was to (1) profile demographic and other characte ristics of two age groups, younger aged 30 to 39 (N = 643), and older aged 40 to 49 (N = 395), (2) examine and identify differences in lifetime drug u se patterns and age of drug use initiation, (3) examine HIV risk behaviors: drug use and sexual practices, (4) compare drug user treatment utilization between the two age groups, and (5) examine barriers to drug is treatment utilization by gender. The study sample (N=1038) was drawn from individuals recruited into the NIDA Cooperative Agreement in Kentucky. The median age in the study sample was 38, the majority were male (72%), and African-Ameri can (81%). Results indicate that older subjects initiated drug use at a lat er age than younger subjects. Compared to the younger age group, significan tly more subjects in the older group reported having ever used any of the 1 0 drugs examined. Injection drug use patterns and lifetime sex exchange pra ctices were more prevalent in the older age group. Older subjects also were more likely to utilize drug user treatment, specifically methadone mainten ance treatment. When barriers to drug user treatment were examined, signifi cantly more women than men did not qualify for treatment, and they did not have enough money for treatment. Implications for interventions are discuss ed.