Objectives: This study examined injection drug use among homeless men and women with severe mental illness in two sites.
Methods: The data were drawn from related clinical trials conducted in Baltimore (101 men, 49 women) and Boston (85 men, 33 women).
Results: The percentages of homeless men with a history of injection drug use were 26% in Baltimore and 16% in Boston; the corresponding rates among homeless women were 8% and 6%.
Conclusions: Taken together, these and previous results suggest high lifetime prevalences of injection drug use-and associated risks of HIV transmission-in this elusive population.