HIV and Substance Use SWG

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section HIV and Substance Use Scientific Working Group The HIV and Substance Use Scientific Working Group (SWG) is committed to advancing rigorous, community-engaged research at the intersection of HIV, substance use, and harm reduction. The SWG enhances the capacity of researchers, service providers, and community members by training individuals with lived experience of substance use as citizen scientists, providing mentorship, and fostering awareness of how substance use affects HIV outcomes and the critical role of harm reduction interventions. Central to this mission is the development of sustainable academic–community partnerships built on mutual respect, trust, and bi-directional learning. Core initiatives include the establishment of a statewide repository of client-level data from syringe service programs to support research across the University of Miami. In addition, county-level point-in-time surveys can identify emerging risks and access to HIV prevention and care. Finally, the Community Scholars Research for Impact Alliance (CSRIA) Training Program equips community members to conduct meaningful, practice-informed research. Together, these efforts generate actionable evidence, which inform public health and harm-reduction strategies among people who use drugs.