Border Crossing to Inject Drugs in Mexico Among Injection Drug Users in San Diego, California

• DOI: 10.1007/s10903-011-9462-9
• Publication Date: 2011-03-25T13:05:45Z
• Authors: Tyson Volkmann; Sanghyuk S. Shin; Richard S. Garfein; Thomas L. Patterson; Robin A. Pollini; Karla D. Wagner; Irina Artamanova; Steffanie A. Stra...
• Keywords: Quarter (Canadian coin); Needle sharing; Injection drug use

We examined correlates of ever injecting drugs in Mexico among residents San Diego, California. From 2007 to 2010, drug users (IDUs) Diego underwent an interviewer-administered survey. Logistic regression identified injection use Mexico. Of 302 IDUs, 38% were Hispanic, 72% male and median age was 37; 27% injected Mexico; 43% reported distributive syringe sharing there. Factors independently associated with included being younger at first injection, heroin, least half the time, transporting over last 6 months. One-quarter IDUs Mexico, whom common, suggesting possible mixing between Mexico-US border region. Prospective studies should monitor trends cross-border light recent Mexican policy reforms partially decriminalizing possession.