Lost Opportunity to Combat AIDS: Drug Abusers in the Criminal Justice System

In the absence of a cure for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), societal efforts are aimed toward limiting the spread of the disease. To accomplish this, information regarding the risk behaviors for contracting and transmitting the disease is being distributed to the general population. In addition, outreach programs are being established in many cities to identify subgroups of the community for AIDS education and counseling. Most of these programs have been directed toward drug abusers and homosexuals, persons whose behavior may place them at high risk for AIDS.