British Users of Opiate‐type Drugs: A Follow‐up Study

Summary People were interviewed in 1971, when they first attended London “drug clinics”, and again twelve months later. Of 187 people, 28 per cent did not receive even an initial regular prescription for opiates, 29 per cent had received at least an initial regular prescription but were not receiving one at follow‐up and 43 per cent were receiving an opiate‐type prescription at follow‐up. Use of heroin decreased in the course of the year (partly as an historical, as opposed to a career/maturation‐type, change). At both times the no‐prescription group showed the most unemployment, illegal activities, and physical complications.