[Anticipated effects of experimental heroin prescription on the method of administration and the use of other drugs].
OBJECTIVE
Pending a Dutch heroin prescription trial (intended to regulate drug abuse), preliminary research was conducted into client factors that may influence the course and outcome, notably into administration patterns and changes in concomitant use of other drugs.


METHODS
Interview.


METHODS
Methadone programme Baan in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.


METHODS
In a Rotterdam methadone programme, 60 clients were identified matching the target group of a heroin prescription trial; 42 respondents were interviewed. Using a semistructured questionnaire, data were collected on characteristics of drug use in the preceding month.


RESULTS
In addition to their methadone supply, the majority (90%) of the respondents used both heroin and cocaine. Heroin and cocaine were smoked as well as injected by 22% and 31% respectively. In the choice of a route of administration individually experienced effects played a major part, which suggests that participation in a prescription trial will not lead to shifts in employed routes of administration. Cocaine was often found to have a central position in polydrug use, while the function of heroin was mostly that of a modulator. This suggests that no direct effect on the use of cocaine can be expected from the prescription of heroin. On the contrary, the relationship between the available amount of money and the cocaine used was such that, considering that participants in a prescription trial may be left with more money, a prescription trial might lead to an increased use of cocaine.


CONCLUSIONS
The prescription of heroin does not seem to have a direct effect on the use of cocaine. Indirectly the use of cocaine might increase.
Benschop
A
A
Instituut voor Verslavingsonderzoek, Rotterdam.
Hendriks
V M
VM
Blanken
P
P
D000328:Adult; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D003932:Heroin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D012931:Social Environment
D003932:Heroin; D003042:Cocaine; D008691:Methadone
Te verwachten effecten van experimentele heroïneverstrekking op de toedieningswijze en het gebruik van andere middelen.