Needle Sharing among Male Prostitutes: Preliminary Findings of the Prospero Project

To date there is only sketchy information about the needle-sharing practices of IV drug users. This article reviews the existing literature on needle-sharing practices and presents quantitative findings on IV drug use, needle-sharing practices and the utilization of shooting galleries of male sex workers. Self-reports of 178 street hustlers, male prostitutes who sell sexual favors in public places, indicate a high incidence of IV drug use, particularly methamphetamines, cocaine and heroin. They also report considerable syringe sharing, as well and needle sharing in social settings such as shooting galleries, bath houses and sex clubs. Pragmatic issues, such as availability of syringes and convenience, are said to be the principle reasons to share needles. Race and ethnicity were not important factors for this group. It would appear from this preliminary data that a sizeable percentage of street hustlers in San Francisco are at risk to contract the HIV virus because of their needle-sharing practices.