A DECADE OF CARING FOR DRUG-USERS ENTIRELY WITHIN GENERAL-PRACTICE

Background. The government encourages general practitioners (GPs) to b ecome involved in caring for drug users. However, in some areas of the country, including Bedford, secondary care support is inadequate. GPs in these areas have to decide how to cope with such patients entirely within general practice. Aim. To assess the characteristics and quali ty of care given without secondary care support to drug users by one p ractice in Bedford over a decade. Method. A search was made of the pra ctice computer for all patients with a problem title of 'addiction dru g' between 1986 and 1995. The age, sex, social characteristics, and dr ug history were recorded. Results. One hundred and ninety-two patients were found, of which 155 took part in the practice programme; i.e. th ey consulted more than three times. Forty-three patients (37%) who too k part and were prescribed Methadone were prescribed this drug as ampo ules. Sixty-three patients (40.6%) who took part in the programme stop ped using drugs. Thirty-two (33.6%) of the Methadone users became abst inent. A higher proportion of women (13-48%) than men (19-27.7%) stopp ed using Methadone (P = 0.019). Among patients who had a stable lifest yle, a higher proportion had been prescribed ampoules than mixture (22 out of 28: 78.6%; P = 0.001). Similarly, of those who had a job, eigh t out of 11 (72%; P = 0.037) had been prescribed methadone ampoules. T wo-thirds of all patients prescribed amphetamines stopped using drugs. Conclusion. Long-term care of drug users entirely within general prac tice is feasible. Among those prescribed methadone ampoules, a higher than average proportion had stable lifestyles and had a stable job.