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.

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