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Name: Leah Katrine L. Bausin Score:

Program and Year Level: BSTM 2-4 Date: June 08, 2022

I. ESSAY (10 points each)

1.) Why do drug users share injection equipment with other drug users? Also, what
can be done to prevent the sharing of injection equipment?

Despite the risks, people who inject drugs (PWID) often share injection
equipment, both as a cost-cutting measure and a way to establish and maintain
relationships. There are different forms of taking drugs, from swallowing,
smoking, or inhaling powder through the nose, but injecting is one of the most
popular. Injecting a drug allows it to enter the bloodstream immediately, and the
effects are constantly felt within a minute. Due to the rapidly felt, intensely
rewarding effects, injecting a drug such as heroin can raise the user’s risk of
developing an addiction, as well as the likelihood of experiencing an overdose
(American Addiction Centres, 2019).
After learning the causes of injecting drugs through the last webinar we
attended, I also discovered that there are also numerous studies on the
tendencies of drug users to share the same injection equipment with other drug
users. From my perspective, the practice of sharing can be strongly influenced by
the context of two central factors: cost-cutting measures and a way to establish
and maintain relationships. First, cost-cutting happens when injecting equipment
such as syringes and needles is inaccessible and the inability of PWID to safely
carry that equipment due to familial, social, or legal environments. This causes
drug users to share the same set of injecting equipment since it limits the cost of
purchasing another set of injecting equipment. Second, the convention of sharing
may be strongly affected by the context in which it occurs, group norms, and
relationships. It has been observed that PWID who inject with their families or in
relationships inject with their relatives or partners share needles more than those
who inject alone. Thus, there is a connection between these major factors that
influence drug users' injection-sharing behavior. Since, at times, they share a
limited source of income that will be used to buy a restricted number of drug
injection equipment to be shared by all in their closed networks.
However, this practice of sharing drug equipment can circulate viruses
and diseases through the contamination of infected blood. As reported by
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bloodborne diseases such as
hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV or AIDS can be transmitted with unsafe drug
injection procedures. Though there are numerous drug prevention and treatment
programs, this won't easily stop the use of injectable drugs. Regardless, I believe
that by strengthening the prevention of virus transmission and diseases
associated with it, we can reduce the number of people who share drug injection
equipment. Aside from educating them about the dangers of unsafe injection
practices, we could also expand access to proper sterile, disinfection, and
disposal of needles and syringes education and influence them to never share
needles or other equipment to inject drugs. As a result, this initiative will not only
prevent the factors associated with sharing drug injection equipment but also
eliminate contaminated drug injection equipment from circulation, thereby
reducing the spread of various bloodborne diseases and viruses.
2.) What are some of the most prevalent symptoms and hurdles to effectively
treating HIV? and Who is at risk of contracting HIV?

According to Word Health Organization (WHO), HIV stands for Human

Immunodeficiency Virus and is a virus that attacks the immune system that helps
the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other health
diseases. Scientifically, it is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a
person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sexual intercourse or
through sharing injection drug equipment. People infected with HIV experience
different symptoms in the early and late stages of the condition. It starts from a
short, flu-like illness that occurs 2-6 weeks after infection. But after the initial
symptoms disappear, HIV may not cause any further symptoms for many years.
During this time, the virus persists to be active and causes progressive damage
to one's immune system. And if not treated immediately, AIDS (Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the most prevalent symptom of HIV, when a
person's immune system is severely weakened and has difficulty fighting
infections and certain cancers. People with AIDS have such badly damaged
immune systems that they get an increased chance of having severe illnesses
that may lead to death.
Unfortunately, there is still no specific cure for HIV as of today, as stated
by an Infectious Disease study. There are scenarios where the people infected
with this virus may neglect the initial symptoms or may not be aware since they
did not experience any symptoms. And at some point, some people may hide
their HIV status since there is fear that they will be discriminated against or
judged negatively could only increase the possibility of transmitting the virus to
other people and create hurdles in effectively treating the virus. Anyone can get
HIV, but certain groups are more likely to get it because of certain factors, such
as engaging in risky behaviors. Most people at risk of contracting this virus get it
through unsafe sexual intercourse, and based on our webinar, sharing needles,
syringes, or other drug-injection equipment. The practice of sharing drug
equipment can spread HIV through the contamination of infected blood.
Furthermore, numerous factors that influence dangerous drug injection methods
and inaccessibility to comprehensive knowledge about HIV could continuously
increase the number of people who may contract this bloodborne virus.
Even though there is no cure and anyone can be susceptible to HIV, we
can, especially those people at risk, take preventive measures to protect
ourselves. Preventive measures such as safe sexual behavior, abstinence, and
never sharing of needles, syringes, or any drug equipment. Furthermore, the
most effective way to avoid contracting HIV is to avoid unsafe sexual intercourse
and use of drug injections. We could also participate in HIV prevention and
education programs to gain more understanding and knowledge. However, if
someone has already contracted HIV, there are several steps they can take to
avoid spreading it to others. Earlier diagnosis and treatment can save lives
before it's too late. In this modern-day age, there are very effective treatments
that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life. Yet, we still
need to address and break the stigma and discrimination against those living with
HIV. We can do our part to break the HIV stigma by making small differences,
such as being intentional and thoughtful when choosing our actions and choosing
to use support rather than stigmatizing. And through this initiative, we could
contribute a big help to people with HIV instead of hurdling them to receive
effective treatment.
References
American Addiction Centres. (2019). Dangers of Shooting Up. Retrieved from
https://drugabuse.com/addiction/dangers-shooting-up/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017). HIV and Injection Drug Use.
Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/idu.html
Stuplin, C. (2022). HIV cure research: Trying to eliminate a virus that ‘Hides Out’.
Retrieved from https://www.healio.com/news/infectious-disease/20220407/hiv-
cure-research-trying-to-eliminate-a-virus-that-hides-out
World Health Organization. (2021). Key Facts About HIV/AIDS. Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids