![Sample our Health and Social Care journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5938/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Health-Social-Care.jpg"})
Abstract
Since democratization, Poland has focused increased attention on the care of injection drug users. The growing epidemic of HIV in this population has heightened concerns about effective substance abuse treatment and medical care for those who are infected. A collaborative effort between Yale University and the Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland, is responding to these issues. This collaboration provides the opportunity for Polish and American faculty to share clinical treatment approaches and develop research activities investigating mutual concerns regarding care of injection-drug users with HIV infection. The addiction problem in Poland is characterized by the injection of a home-grown opioid referred to as “kompot.” Cocaine use has not been a significant problem. The primary mode of treatment in Poland is long-term residential treatment. In addition, there are ongoing efforts to decrease HIV risk through the provision of clean needles. The government and substance abuse treatment system in Poland is currently considering methadone maintenance treatment and faculty of the New Haven/Gdańsk Exchange Program have been able to contribute to that discussion.