TY - JOUR
KW - Adolescent
KW - Adult
KW - Attitude
KW - Drug Users/psychology
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Opioid-Related Disorders/psychology/therapy
KW - Primary Health Care/methods
KW - Risk-Taking
KW - Substance Abuse Treatment Centers/methods/statistics & numerical data
KW - Substance-Related Disorders/psychology/therapy
AU - N. Scherbaum
AU - M. Specka
AU - J. Bombeck
AU - B. Marrziniak
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: To investigate whether users of a drug consumption facility (DCF) established as part of a health care centre for problem drug users fulfilled entry criteria, especially public drug consumption, risky drug-application and housing problems. We also investigated whether the drug consumption facility attracted hard-to-reach opiate users who usually do not use the health care system. METHODS: Structured interviews were carried out with 129 problem drug users beginning attendance at a drug consumption facility. RESULTS: Median length of the current episode of regular heroin use was 3 weeks. Sixty-seven per cent of clients had been in addiction specific treatment or had left prison during the previous 3 months. Regarding behaviour in the last month, 53% reported drug use in public, 53% use of non-sterile equipment or water, 22% needle sharing, 8% reported an emergency admission to hospital, and 43% were living in unstable accommodation. Only 10% of clients had never received treatment for their drug use and 87% were currently in contact with psychosocial services. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of clients were chronic opiate users with high rates of risk behaviour. However, they did have recent contact with the drug treatment system. DCFs may be particularly important for opiate users after prison or treatment and/or for those with unstable accommodation.
BT - The International journal on drug policy
C5 - Opioids & Substance Use
CP - 5
CY - Netherlands
DO - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.01.001
IS - 5
JF - The International journal on drug policy
N2 - BACKGROUND: To investigate whether users of a drug consumption facility (DCF) established as part of a health care centre for problem drug users fulfilled entry criteria, especially public drug consumption, risky drug-application and housing problems. We also investigated whether the drug consumption facility attracted hard-to-reach opiate users who usually do not use the health care system. METHODS: Structured interviews were carried out with 129 problem drug users beginning attendance at a drug consumption facility. RESULTS: Median length of the current episode of regular heroin use was 3 weeks. Sixty-seven per cent of clients had been in addiction specific treatment or had left prison during the previous 3 months. Regarding behaviour in the last month, 53% reported drug use in public, 53% use of non-sterile equipment or water, 22% needle sharing, 8% reported an emergency admission to hospital, and 43% were living in unstable accommodation. Only 10% of clients had never received treatment for their drug use and 87% were currently in contact with psychosocial services. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of clients were chronic opiate users with high rates of risk behaviour. However, they did have recent contact with the drug treatment system. DCFs may be particularly important for opiate users after prison or treatment and/or for those with unstable accommodation.
PP - Netherlands
PY - 2009
SN - 1873-4758; 0955-3959
SP - 447
EP - 449
EP - 
T1 - Drug consumption facility as part of a primary health care centre for problem drug users - which clients are attracted?
T2 - The International journal on drug policy
TI - Drug consumption facility as part of a primary health care centre for problem drug users - which clients are attracted?
U1 - Opioids & Substance Use
U2 - 19269803
U3 - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.01.001
VL - 20
VO - 1873-4758; 0955-3959
Y1 - 2009
ER -