29.06.2013 Views

NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE EPIDEMIOLOGIC ...

NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE EPIDEMIOLOGIC ...

NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE EPIDEMIOLOGIC ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

No recent GHB incidents or deaths were reported.<br />

GHB education efforts are directed towards ED personnel,<br />

who often see the users initially. Ketamine<br />

(“Special K”), a veterinary anesthetic, is known for<br />

its hallucinogenic effects. Use of ketamine has been<br />

not been seen recently.<br />

INFECTIOUS DISEASES RELATED TO <strong>DRUG</strong> <strong>ABUSE</strong><br />

HIV<br />

HIV seropositivity among IDUs remained low in St.<br />

Louis. While the predominant number of cases is<br />

among men who have sex with men (MSM), the largest<br />

increase was found among young African-<br />

American females, who were infected through heterosexual<br />

or bisexual contact, and young homosexual African-American<br />

males. As a result, increased specialized<br />

minority prevention efforts have been initiated.<br />

Of the total 6,646 persons living with HIV disease<br />

identified through May 2004, 5 percent were IDUs<br />

and 5 percent involved men who have sex with men<br />

and are also IDUs (MSM/IDUs) (exhibit 2). The<br />

number of infected African-Americans was increasing<br />

disproportionately among males and females.<br />

HIV Research<br />

Saint Louis University has continued research on<br />

HIV prevention vaccines. Most of the prevention<br />

vaccine trials have been Phase I trials in low-risk<br />

individuals, and new DNA vaccines and adjuvants<br />

are being studied.<br />

216<br />

<strong>EPIDEMIOLOGIC</strong> TRENDS IN <strong>DRUG</strong> <strong>ABUSE</strong>—St. Louis<br />

Two Phase II trials are being implemented within the<br />

next year.<br />

STDs and Hepatitis C<br />

A resurgence of syphilis among MSM has led to increased<br />

surveillance and targeted prevention programs<br />

to this population. Rates of gonorrhea and<br />

chlamydia remain stable and high in the urban STD<br />

clinics. St. Louis ranks third in the country for gonorrhea,<br />

with cases remaining at approximately 1,000<br />

per year, and second for chlamydia. The increase in<br />

heterosexual transmission is a concern for public<br />

health officials. Further research is needed on ways to<br />

effect sustained behavior change.<br />

HIV and syphilis/gonorrhea rates are high in neighborhoods<br />

known to have high levels of drug abuse,<br />

underscoring the concept of assortative mixing in<br />

cohorts. This may limit the cross-spread of these illnesses<br />

within a neighborhood or Zip Code. Hepatitis<br />

C is a concern in these populations, but inconsistent<br />

reporting has made estimation of the problem and<br />

tracking of hepatitis C cases difficult<br />

REFERENCES<br />

Herlig, C. Strategic Intelligence, St. Louis Office of<br />

the Drug Enforcement Administration. Personal<br />

communication.<br />

Cottler, L.; et al. St. Louis, Missouri: Washington University.<br />

Personal communication.<br />

For inquires concerning this report, please contact Heidi Israel, Ph.D., R.N., L.C.S.W., Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 3691 Rutger –<br />

Suite 103, St. Louis, MO 63110, Phone: (314) 977-9644, Fax: (314) 977-1781, E-mail: Israelha@slu.edu.<br />

Proceedings of the Community Epidemiology Work Group, Vol. II, January 2005

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!