Rapid assessment response (RAR) study: drug use and health risk - Pretoria, South Africa

A Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR) methodology was adopted for the study. For individual and focus group interviews a semi-structured questionnaire was utilised that addressed key issues. Interviews were conducted with a total of 84 key informant (KI) participants, 63 drug user KI participants (49 males, 14 females) and 21 KI service providers (8 male, 13 female).Adverse living conditions and poor education levels were cited as making access to treatment harder, especially for those living in disadvantaged areas. Heroin was found to be the substance most available and used in a problematic way within the Pretoria area. Participants were not fully aware of the concrete health risks involved in drug use, and the vague ideas held appear not to allow for concrete measures to protect themselves. Knowledge with regards to substance related HIV/AIDS transmission is not yet widespread, with some information sources disseminating incorrect or unspecific information.The implementation of pragmatic harm-reduction and other evidence-based public health care policies that are designed to reduce the harmful consequences associated with substance use and HIV/AIDS should be considered. HIV testing and treatment services also need to be made available in places accessed by drug users.Recent data demonstrates that drug-related health problems (such as HIV infections) are increasing in South Africa. Within a ten year period South Africa has developed a substantial illicit drug market. There is evidence of increasing availability of illicit drugs (e.g. heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine) and growing drug-using populations from different social and ethnic backgrounds in different regions of the country [1,2]. Local research indicates ongoing spread of drug use, lowering age of starting drug users, increasing numbers of female users and spread of heroin use, especially in poorer black communities [1,2]. A study that was undertaken among three high risk and vulnerable populations (men