NIDA is conducting seroprevalence studies among IV drug users and is collecting behavioral and medical data to examine factors associated with immune status and the progression from seropositivity to clinical AIDS. Prevention programs have included dissemination of information relevant to risk-reduction strategies, projects to prevent the initiation of drug use, outreach programs to encourage IV drug users to enter treatment, and development of new and evaluation of existing drug treatment modalities. Research has examined factors in the initiation of drug use; the relative effectiveness of methadone maintenance, drug-free outpatient and therapeutic community treatments; factors contributing to cessation of drug use and relapses; the effects of adolescent drug use, and special treatment needs of adolescent drug users. Other studies have examined the effectiveness of various risk-reduction programs in modifying drug injection behaviors and in encouraging entry into treatment. NIDA also has developed an AIDS policy, the objectives of which include preventing and reducing IV drug use, developing information on unsafe injection practices, establishing AIDS antibody screening within drug abuse treatment programs, monitoring clinical epidemiology of AIDS among IV drug users, identifying cofactors to AIDS, and assessing the impact of AIDS on sexual partners and children of IV drug users. 10 references.