Observation of psychoactive substance consumption: Methods and results of the French OPPIDUM programme

This study presents a French programme designed to observe and evaluate psy choactive substance dependence and abuse, Annual surveys lasting 4 weeks ar e performed with drug users in drug centres, Its usefulness is discussed us ing examples from the study: potential for antidepressant dependence (amine ptine), monitoring benzodiazepine use and consumption associated with maint enance treatments, Flunitrazepam is the most consumed benzodiazepine and of ten got by deal (29%). There are important differences between buprenorphin e consumption in a maintenance treatment context (9/10) and beyond this con text (1/10), The main methodology problems encountered are representativene ss and validity of data, The limits of the programme and its role in the Fr ench health care system are discussed. Copyright (C) 2001 S.Karger AG,Basel .