Asian countries sharing the land area of the Golden Triangle are undergoing an evolution in their drug use problem. It began with native opium dependence and has evolved to include heroin dependence and a change in the drug’s route of administration. The eating and smoking of heroin is being replaced by injection, and the transition from non-injecting to injecting drug use increases the risk of HIV and other health-related consequences. This study consisted of 630 heroin-using subjects, both injectors and non-injectors, in the Yunnan Province of China between August 1997 and February 1998. Results indicated that injecting heroin users, in comparison to non-injectors, were more likely to have used drugs for a longer period of time and used drugs more frequently. In addition, differences were identified between urban and rural subjects especially between men and women. Rural injectors were more likely to be male and urban injectors were almost evenly split between men and women. Another noteworthy finding was subjects who had higher monthly incomes were more likely to be injectors than those who had lower monthly incomes. Future research suggests including HIV testing and the linking of specific risk behaviors. References