Syron Design begins a documentary of
injection drug researchers in rural Puerto Rico
Lincoln, NE. – January 15, 2015 – “Injection Risk Networks in Rural Puerto Rico” is funded by the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA). Principal investigators, Kirk Dombrowski, Bilal Khan, and Juan Carlos Reyes.
The project investigates HIV and Hepatitis C risk among injection drug users in central rural Puerto Rico and ultimately, aims to use this research to reduce the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C in Puerto Rico by identifying effective prevention strategies. Between 2014 and 2019, the team will interview more than 600 people who inject drugs and ask them about their risk behaviors, injection risk partners, and about their lives in rural Puerto Rico. Each participant will also complete a rapid HIV and Hepatitis C test. The analytical portion of the project involves simulating risk social networks on a regional scale, and testing the simulation effects of a range of interventions.
As the Communications Director for the project, we want to capture every aspect of this significant research. We flew down to Puerto Rico to document the training of the field team. We spent two days interviewing, observing and collecting background footage that will serve as the basis for a series of documentaries about the not only the process of how to conduct a large research project project but also how collaboration between research and design can bring about social change.
The photo above is Roberto Abadie talking about the project and his motivation for HIV and Hepatitis C research.
Needles scattered on the ground of a shooting gallery
Image above is of needles scattered on the ground of a shooting gallery three blocks from the office.