Trends in injection drug use among persons entering addiction treatment--New Jersey, 1992-1999.

Injection drug use is associated with high risk for transmission of bloodborne infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B and C. Since 1993, the proportion of persons admitted to New Jersey addiction treatment centers for illicit drug use who reported injecting drugs has increased, reversing a decline that began in approximately 1980 (1; Community EpidemiologyWork Group, unpublished data, 2000). This report summarizes an analysis of trends in injection drug use among persons admitted to New Jersey addiction treatment programs during 1992-1999; the findings suggest substantial increases in injection use among young adult heroin users throughout the state and an increase in heroin use among young adults who reside in suburban and rural New Jersey.