Providing active drug users with HIV prevention materials and information, particularly in locations where they are at greatest risk, is a challenge. This month's Hartford HIV Forum will feature an innovative program that addresses this issue. Project RAP (Risk Avoidance Partnership) recruits and trains active drug users as Peer Health Advocates (PHAs) to disseminate harm reduction messages, materials and practices among their peers in places not easily accessible to outreach workers or health care providers. PHAs and Project RAP staff of the Institute for Community Research (ICR) will discuss their experiences on Tuesday, April 11 at noon at ICR, 2 Hartford Square West, Suite 100 (146 Wyllys Street). The event is free; lunch will be provided and advance registration is required.

Project RAP is a 4-year Hartford-based intervention study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The goals of the project are to bring needed HIV prevention education and resources directly to drug users on a peer-to-peer basis; to evaluate the intervention; and to support PHAs as advocates for community health and well-being. In the words of one PHA, “It feels good to talk to people out there about drugs, AIDS, [and] condoms. I’ve had no bad experiences. I feel proud to do it [PHA work].” Based on ICR's success in connecting with drug users and the project’s unique method of peer-led HIV education, ICR has been awarded a second NIDA grant to continue its work with PHAs. The follow-up study also provides the opportunity to evaluate the long-term effects of the training and intervention on HIV risk reduction attitudes and behaviors, and identify factors that will successfully sustain the intervention.

During the presentation PHAs will discuss their experiences working in the community and with their peers. Maria Martinez, Project Coordinator believes this presentation is valuable for “anyone interested in harm reduction and HIV prevention. This project proves that everyone in the community can be involved in harm reduction and keeping people safe.” As another PHA states, "being a Peer Health Advocate inspires you to give back to the community and take your self-esteem to a whole other level." Martinez continues, “People will come away from this presentation with the understanding that we can meet drug users where they’re at and train people who are active users. Even if they’re still getting high, there are things they can do to decrease their risk. They can still take responsibility for protecting themselves and others. This is taking the education and harm reduction to the streets.”  

This is the third presentation in the Spring, 2006 series of forums organized by The Institute for Community Research and the Connecticut AIDS Education and Training Center with support from Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline and Boehringer Ingelheim. The Hartford HIV Forum meets from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m., on the second Tuesday of each month from September through June. The goal of the forums is to give the local community the most up-to-date information on current topics in AIDS prevention, treatment, research and care. To register for the forum, call the Institute for Community Research at 860-278-2044. For more information about the series, contact Kim Radda at The Institute for Community Research at 860-278-2044 X285.

The Institute for Community Research is an independent, nonprofit organization which conducts applied research and community enhancement programs to promote equal access to health, education, and cultural resources. The Connecticut AIDS Education and Training Center trains providers with the goal of improving HIV clinical care through a grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration (Federal Grant No. 1H4A HA 00050-AO).

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