A comparison of the harms associated with the injection of heroin and amphetamines

An investigation into whether or not the level of harm associated with inje cting drug use varies depending on the drug that is injected was conducted among 151 primary heroin injectors and 145 primary amphetamine injectors. C ompared to primary amphetamine injectors, primary heroin injectors were mor e dependent on their primary drug, had poorer social functioning, and had r ecently exhibited a higher degree of criminal behaviour. There were no diff erences between the two groups in terms of the prevalence of needle sharing , their health, or their psychological functioning, despite the amphetamine users being significantly younger and having used less frequently. It is c oncluded that while there are some harms that are attributable to injecting per se, the type of drug that is injected does play a mediating role in th e relationship between injecting drug use and its associated harm. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.