Abstract
Illicit drug use in the US remains concerning, with injection drug use linked to transmission of blood-borne diseases as HIV/AIDS; persons of color, including Black Americans, experience disproportionately higher transmission rates. Harm reduction programs such as methadone and needle- and syringe-exchange (NEP/SEP) are empirically demonstrated to reduce HIV transmission, yet are believed largely opposed by Black communities. Using interview data from 21 service providers of substance abuse and related service organizations located in and/or serving predominantly populations of color, this study explored perceptions of harm reduction programming for illicit drugs and race in the US. Criticizing each program for unique reasons, respondents deemed them largely inadequate and inappropriate responses to community drug problems. While some believed these programs worsen Black communities, others believed they are becoming more accepted there. Views were informed by racial dynamics surrounding drugs in society, burdens borne by program host communities, and racialized stereotypes of drug use.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 187-207 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| Journal | Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 3 2015 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
Keywords
- African/Black Americans
- Black community
- harm reduction
- illicit drugs
- methadone
- needle/syringe exchange