Opiate and crack cocaine use: A new understanding of prevalence

Hay, G., Gannon, M., MacDougall, J., Eastwood, C., Williams, K. and Millar, T. (2010) Opiate and crack cocaine use: A new understanding of prevalence. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy, 17(2), pp. 135-147. (doi: 10.3109/09687630802286893)

Abstract

<p><b>Aims:</b> The aim of this study was to establish prevalence estimates of problem drug use, defined as opiate and/or crack cocaine use by persons aged 15 to 64 years, for England and for each of the 149 administrative areas responsible for commissioning drug interventions.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> Indirect estimation techniques, the capture–recapture and multiple indicator methods, were used to obtain estimates. Information on problem drug users presenting to healthcare settings and/or recorded by the criminal justice system, and drug-related indicator data were used in the analyses.</p> <p><b>Findings:</b> There were an estimated 332,090 problem drug users in England during 2005/06 (95% CI 324,546 to 346,345), equivalent to 9.97 (95% CI 9.74 to 10.40) problem drug users per thousand population aged 15 to 64 years. Prevalence varied by geographic region and age group: the highest rates were observed in London and for those aged 25 to 34 years.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> This study has produced estimates of the prevalence of problem drug use in England that are more robust, more precise, and suggest a higher prevalence than previous studies. The estimates provide a basis on which to formulate policy, plan services, and measure service performance.</p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gannon, Ms Maria and Hay, Dr Gordon
• Authors: Hay, G., Gannon, M., MacDougall, J., Eastwood, C., Williams, K., and Millar, T.
• Subjects: H Social Sciences > HA Statistics
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Centre for Population and Health Sciences
• Journal Name: Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy
• Publisher: Informa Healthcare
• ISSN: 0968-7637
• ISSN (Online): 1465-3370