Improving Access to Substance Abuse Treatment Services for Consumers with AIDS: A Formative Evaluation

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a formative evaluation used to guide the implementation of programming funded by an HIV/Treatment Capacity Expansion grant received from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Data were gathered from programmatic records regarding access to treatment, individual interviews with persons with HIV referred to treatment that did not attend, and interviews with persons with HIV currently receiving substance abuse treatment. Findings connected to record review indicate that the program is functioning in accordance with current model standards, while interviews indicated several barriers to access. Suggestions are offered to improve the implementation of substance abuse treatment to persons living with HIV/AIDS.

KEYWORDS:

• AIDS
• substance abuse
• formative evaluation
• HIV
• access

Notes

This project was carried out with funding from a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) grant from the Targeted Capacity Expansion Program for Substance Abuse Treatment and HIV/AIDS Services (TCE/HIV). The views and opinions contained in the publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and should not be construed as such.