Improving access to substance abuse treatment services for consumers with AIDS: a formative evaluation.

This paper presents the findings of a formative evaluation used to guide the implementation of programming funded by an HIV/Treatment Capacity Expansion grant received from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration. Data were gathered from programmatic records regarding access to treatment, individual interviews with persons with HIV referred to treatment that did not attend, and interviews with persons with HIV currently receiving substance abuse treatment. Findings connected to record review indicate that the program is functioning in accordance with current model standards, while interviews indicated several barriers to access. Suggestions are offered to improve the implementation of substance abuse treatment to persons living with HIV/AIDS.