BC-CfE Study Finds Crack Cocaine Smoking Increases Risk of HIV

published on October 20, 2009

(Vancouver) – A new study by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS has found that people who smoke crack cocaine are at increased risk of becoming HIV-infected.

The findings, published this week in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, point to the urgent need for innovative public-health programs targeted at crack cocaine smokers.

The study looked at 1048 injection drug users participating in the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study. The participants were HIV negative at enrolment, but by the end of the nine-year study, 137 people contracted HIV.

DeBeck K, Kerr T, Li K, Fischer B, Buxton J, Montaner J, Wood E. CMAJ 2009. DOI:10.1503/cmaj.082054

DOWNLOAD: Research summary

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BC-CfE Study Finds Crack Cocaine Smoking Increases Risk of HIV

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