ADDICTS WITH JOBS LIKELIER TO REMAIN OFF DRUGS

Having a baby or finding a job increases significantly the chances of a drug
addict remaining free of illicit drugs one year after going into
rehabilitation, according to a survey conducted by the Eastern Health Board.

The findings of the study, which also shows that 46 per cent of addicts have
never sat an examination, were presented at a weekend conference in St
James's Hospital, Dublin, on general practitioners and the misuse of drugs.

The research is believed to provide an accurate profile of abusers, and the
results have formed the basis for the development of a programme to manage
drug misuse.

Mr Martin Gallagher, programme manager of addiction services, said the board
would be shortly inviting submissions on the draft document from agencies
and those working with drug abusers. The board then plans to hold a
conference to agree a progamme of implementation.

The researchers, Mr Peter Dorman and Ms Lynsey Jones, set out to examine the
views of addicts, health board staff and community groups on how
rehabilitation programmes should be developed.

In June and July a survey of 94 addicts was undertaken to examine their
family situations, drug histories, employment records, social lifestyles,
skills and education. All but three of those interviewed were on methadone.

Most indicated they started using drugs as a result of peer pressure. More
than 60 per cent said they did not have a positive school experience and
only 8 per cent had sat the Leaving Certificate.

The majority, 58.5 per cent, were unemployed and 55 per cent said their work
had been seriously disrupted by drugs.

A total of 85 per cent had been in trouble with the law, half of them in
violent crime. However, only 5 per cent of those on methadone treatment said
they were now involved in crime.

The survey also showed that drugs had resulted in social isolation for many
addicts, with 86 per cent indicating they had lost significant friendships
because of drugs and 49 per cent claiming they had no friends, while 14 per
cent were unable to identify any personal skill or quality.

The majority said their health was not as good as it should be. Some 31 per
cent had considered suicide, 54 per cent had hepatitis C, 4 per cent were
HIV positive and 50 per cent had experienced depression.

A total of 80 per cent of women said that they did not eat a hot meal
regularly compared to 26 per cent of men.

Mr Gallagher said one of the most encouraging signs was that 86 per cent
wanted to be free of illicit drugs, and what they felt was needed most was
more rehabilitation programmes, a more understanding attitude and more clinics.

Health board staff felt one of the keys to rehabilitation was finding work
for abusers and having a multidisciplinary and multiagency approach to
tackling the problem, while community groups felt access to counselling,
staff training, after-hours services, support in the form of childcare and a
safe drug-free environment were important factors.

All those surveyed felt rehabilitation programmes needed to offer hope to
addicts, given that so many of them wished to be free of drugs.