Police Victimization among Persons Who Inject Drugs Along the U.S.-Mexico Border

Problematic policing practices are an important driver of HIV infection among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in the U.S.-Mexico border region. This study identifies factors associated with recent (i.e., past 6 months) police victimization (e.g., extortion, physical and sexual violence) in the border city of Tijuana, Mexico.

From 2011 to 2013, 733 PWID (62% male) were recruited in Tijuana and completed a structured questionnaire. Eligible participants were age 18 years or older, injected illicit drugs within the past month, and spoke Spanish or English. Multivariable logistic regression analyses identified correlates of recent experiences of police victimization (e.g., bribes, unlawful confiscation, physical and sexual violence).

Overall, 56% of PWID reported a recent police victimization experience in Tijuana. 

• In multivariable logistic regression analyses, factors independently associated with recent police victimization included 
• recent injection of methamphetamine 
• and recently received injection assistance by a "hit doctor". 

Increased years lived in Tijuana and initiating drug use at a later age were inversely associated with recent police victimization.

Physical drug using markers may increase PWID susceptibility to police targeting and contribute to experiences of victimization. Interventions aimed at reducing police victimization events in the U.S.-Mexico border region should consider PWID's drug-using behaviors. Reducing problematic policing practices may be a crucial public health strategy to reduce HIV risk among PWID in this region

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By: Pinedo M1, Burgos JL2, Zuniga ML3, Perez R4, Macera CA5, Ojeda VD2.

• 1Alcohol Research Group, University of California, Berkeley, California.
• 2Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California.
• 3School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.
• 4Department of Anthropology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.
• 5School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California.

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