Formerly legal drug 'snow blow' linked to rise in HIV

The injection of a formerly legal high known as ‘snow blow’ is linked to an upsurge in HIV infections among chaotic drug users in Dublin, research shows.

There have been 38 cases of confirmed and probable HIV infections among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Dublin over the last two years.

The HSE’s Department of Public Health identified an “unexpected increase” in cases of acute HIV infection in February 2015 and set up a multi-disciplinary group to engage with this cohort of drug users.