HIV and Substance Abuse in Miami-Dade

Miami-Dade County has the highest number of new AIDS cases per capita in the United States. The following statistics illustrate the impact HIV and substance abuse on Miami-Dade's youngest residents:

HIV:

• 1 in 4 (27%) newly HIV-infected individuals is between the ages of 13 and 29
• 93% of newly HIV-infected adolescents/young adults are members of a racial/ethnic minority
• 75% of newly HIV-infected adolescents/young adults are gay males
• According to a recent CDC study, 72% of African American and 44% of Hispanic gay males who tested positive for HIV in Miami were unaware of their infection

Substance Abuse:

• 30% of young adults report binge-drinking in the past 30 days
• 16% of young adults report drug use in the past 30 days
• 14% of young adults report alcohol and/or drug abuse in the past year
• Alcohol and marijuana are the primary abused substances self-reported by young adults in Miami Dade County
• Other drugs presenting major problems for the young adult population are pain relievers, MDMA or ecstasy, and benzodiazepines