August 2002

Peer Action Works in Boston

The Boston AIDS Action Committee has had excellent results in hiring people “at greatest risk” for HIV infection to tell others about the organization’s services. The program begain in May 2000 by recruiting seven people in demographic groups at high risk for HIV infection, such as injection drug users and the homeless. The volunteers were given a questionnaire about their sexual behavior and counseling on safe sex and drug use in order to reduce their risk of infection. The volunteers then were given three coupons to distribute to acquaintances who might be at risk. The volunteers received $5 for every contact who brought a coupon back to Peer Action, and $25 if all three contacts came to the organization.

The Boston Globe reports (August 7, 2002) that the program “seems to have worked”; it has recruited 1,002 volunteers in two years. A study has found that condom use has increased “substantially” and rates of sexual activity while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs have fallen “markedly.” AIDS Action plans to spend $24,000 this year on the campaign

“$24,000 buys us 500 deputies out there doing this work,” AIDS Action Committee Executive Director Michael Duffy told the Globe.