ABSTRACT
The sharing of injection equipment among injection drug users (IDUs) is the second most common mode of HIV transmission next to sexual contact. The transmission of HIV can be prevented by changing high-risk behaviors such as unprotected sex and sharing used injection equipment. One of the primary modes for HIV transmission through drug injection is the use of HIV-contaminated syringes, needles, vials, spoons, filters, and other such equipment. HIV infection is highly preventable, and short of a cure for AIDS or immunization for HIV, the most important action charged to health and social service professionals is to eliminate the behaviors that make the spread of HIV possible.
