Transitions between routes of administration of regular amphetamine users

A sample of 301 regular amphetamine users was interviewed regarding transitions between routes of administration of amphetamines. Use of amphetamines by injecting was widespread, with two-thirds (67%) of subjects having injected the drug during tin preceding 6 months. Needle-sharing was common, with 41% of injectors having shared a needle in the month preceding interview. A transition to regular amphetamine injecting from other mutes of administration was reported by 40% of subjects, with males being twice as likely to report such a transition. The median number of such transitions was line. The main reasons given by subjects for the transition to injecting mere It king the “rush” from injecting, and seeing it as a more economical and a healthier way to use. A small proportion of subjects (9%) reported a transition away from injecting amphetamines, with a median of one such transition. The most common reason given for abandoning injecting was concern about vascular damage. Interventions, to encourage safer use of amphetamines need to address the misconceptions that injecting is more economical and more healthy, and to emphasise the vascular problems associated with injecting.     

A clinical evaluation of the ''Rapitrach''

A number of percutaneous tracheostomy devices are now available commercially. We report a preliminary clinical study of the use of the 'Rapitrach' kit (Fresenius, Runcorn, Cheshire, UK). Twenty critically ill adult patients underwent tracheostomy using the kit. Nineteen of the procedures were carried out at the bedside in the intensive therapy unit. Correct tube placement was achieved in all cases.