Substance use and abuse in the Latino community is a confounding co-factor in HIV infection.  The National Institute of Drug Use indicated behaviors associated with drug and alcohol use is now the single largest factor in the spread of HIV infection in the United States.  Additionally, alcohol use is associated with several risk factors for HIV infection among youth, including having multiple sex partners and inconsistent condom use. 

To address these prevention needs, BIENESTAR developed a Substance Abuse Department to manage prevention programs and expand the agency’s capacity to provide needed services to the community.

Substance Abuse Prevention Programs

The SENDA (“Salud En Nuestro Diario Amanecer” – Health in Our Daily Awakening) Program is an integrated HIV, Hepatitis and Substance Abuse prevention program targeting the underserved minority communities in Los Angeles County.  The program targets Latinos, including those with a history of incarceration, who are at greater risk for substance abuse and unsafe sexual practices that may lead to substance dependence and unprotected sex along with greater exposure to HIV and Hepatitis.

The Program has added to BIENESTAR’s long track record of working with Latinos who are at a very high risk for substance abuse, HIV and Hepatitis, and addressed specific needs of the community it serves.  

Hepatitis Prevention Programs

The Syringe Exchange Program provides exchange of contaminated needles, distribution of needle cleaning “safer shooting” kits, safer sex supplies, health education materials, on-site case management, HIV Counseling and Testing, Hepatitis screening referrals, medical care referrals, and referrals for drug detoxification and treatment to active intravenous drug users to prevent the spread of HIV and Hepatitis within that community.  For more information about our Syringe Exchange Programs, please visit our Syringe Exchange Program page.

For additional information please contact Lori Mizuno, Director of Evaluation & Research at (323) 727-7896 or at lmizuno@bienestar.org