Injection Drug Users in the United States, 1979-2002

Abstract
Injection drug use (IDU) has an immediate and deleterious effect on individuals and communities and provides an efficient mechanism for transmitting blood-borne viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus. All 3 can cause chronic asymptomatic infections that can eventually lead to severe illnesses years after the initial infection.1-3 Thus, former injection drug users remain at risk for the consequences of IDU long after they have quit using drugs.