INTRODUCTION
a street in Morristown
Through research done for the previous paper, a strong positive correlation of 0.8 was discovered between AIDS rates in Northern New Jersey and the African American populations of various cities. In the city of Morristown, located in Morris County, African Americans account for 43% of the persons living with HIV/AIDS (6A); this has a generated prevalence rate of 2079 per 100,000 people within the African American community in (6A, 6B). This number is well above the national average and shows that the African American community in Morristown is in need of help. IV drug users are also at risk for infection, as injection drug use accounts for 34% of the mode of transmission for those living with HIV/AIDS in Morristown (6A). Coupled with African Americans and IV drug users, the homeless population in Morristown, as in any city or state, is at particular risk for HIV infection. As a study conducted in San Francisco showed, 15.4% of the homeless population was found to be infected, with 3.5% unaware of any risk factors they might have (1E).
In Morristown, there is a center called the Market Street Mission which provides food and emergency one-night housing for the homeless, while also housing a drug rehabilitation center (4A). Because of its affiliation with the church, a large portion of African American homeless and IDUs seek help at the mission. Because of the services it provides and this association with the church, the Market Street Mission provides a venue where three high risk populations: IDUs, homeless, and African Americans can be found and targeted for prevention measures. Non-compulsory HIV testing is provided at this center every three months (4A). Those that are found to be HIV positive after testing are referred to a satellite clinic of the local hospital called the Family Heath Center with no follow up (4A). HIV testing should be provided for those that come in for meals and should be required of those entering the drug treatment program and those requesting an emergency one night stay. Those that are found to be HIV positive generally do not have the resources to pay for medication at the clinic and it is thus necessary that these people learn and understand the importance of practicing safe sex (i.e. use contraception) so that the disease is not spread further within the population.