Levels of intravenous drug misuse among clients prescribed oral dexamphetamine or oral methadone: a comparison

There has been a considerable increase in the number of intravenous amphetamine misusers during the last decade, and the development of effective treatment strategies for this high-risk group has become critical. The use of substitute prescribing is one option, but reservations have been expressed as to its demonstrated effectiveness in reducing injecting practice and associated risks. This study compares the effect of substitute prescribing on the injecting practices of two groups of intravenous drug misusers: 120 primary opiate misusers, prescribed oral methadone; and 60 primary amphetamine misusers, prescribed dexamphetamine elixir. The levels of intravenous drug misuse at time of discharge for the two groups was similar, with 67% of the opiate misusers and 70% of the amphetamine misusers having stopped injecting. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.