Drug problems and patterns of service use amongst illicit drug users in Edinburgh

Some results are presented from a continuing prospective study of patterns of illicit drug use in the community. A study group of 115 illicit drug users in Edinburgh were contacted by a non-random method known as ‘snowballing’. These were interviewed using a standardized schedule that related to over 200 variables. The use of drugs services are discussed and it is noted that reasons for making contact with such services are complex and not directly associated with any one factor. Extent of illicit substance use and adverse consequences experienced as a result of illicit substance use, are seen to be associated with agency contact, although it is suggested that many other reasons such as social pressure have a role to play. Some individuals, including opiate users, reported that their drug use had not led to any adverse consequences, others had experienced a variety of adverse consequences yet had had no contact with a drugs agency. The implications of these results are discussed.