Epidemiological aspects of drug addiction: morbidity and evaluation of care
Facy, F.
La Revue du Praticien 45(11): 1345-1350
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-2640 PMID: 7659981 Document Number: 452841
As regards drug addicts morbidity, no register of patients exists; several studies are conducted with complementary aims. The annual survey of the Health Ministry since 1987 registers over one month the consultants of the whole services: specialized, psychiatric, medical or non specialized social service. The Inserm network involving clinicians and epidemiologists has been running from 1987 focusing on the topic "Drug addiction and public health". In order to know better drug addicted individuals on a socio-demographic and medical level, surveys are carried out in different counselling and treatment centres, where very different degrees of infections (HIV and hepatitis) can be observed. Inserm (Unit 302) has been entrusted with the evaluation of the program of methadone's prescription. A limited sample has led to some descriptions. 92% of the sample have carried out the HIV test and 26% are HIV-positive, 54% have had a B or C hepatitis. These are heroin addicted subjects whose endeavour to wean off failed several times and whose environmental factors represent a support to the treatment. Their state of health is severe enough to be protected within the framework of secondary prevention actions.