Crack Cocaine Increases HIV Risk

Image (c) Charles Thompson

A new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal has shown that daily smoking of crack cocaine increases the risk of HIV infection, independently of other risk factors.

The study followed over 1,080 injecting drug users who were HIV negative at the start of the study, and found that 137 had become HIV positive at follow up. The risk increased over time, and was independent of other risk factors such as needle sharing, sex work and unprotected sex.

The authors of the study suggest that the increased risk of HIV transmission is a result of the wounds which develop around the mouth while smoking crack, which can increase transmission risk while sharing crack pipes or performing oral sex.

They recommend expansion of harm reduction strategies, such as provision of safe crack smoking kits, similar to needle exchange programs, and safe inhalation rooms, similar to safe injection rooms.