A capture-recapture study of the prevalence and implications of opiate use in Dublin.
BACKGROUND
To date there have been no studies estimating the hidden prevalence of opiate use in Dublin.


METHODS
A multisource enumeration followed by the application of the capture-recapture method with log-linear modelling including age and gender stratification to remove heterogeneity was implemented to provide an estimate of the unknown size of the opiate-using population. Two medical and one legal data sources were used.


RESULTS
It was found that the ratio of known to unknown opiate users was 1:1.15 with a total of 13,460 (95% CI: 12,037-15,306) users estimated in Dublin in 1996.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study have important ramifications for service delivery.
Comiskey
C M
CM
Mathematics Department, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
Barry
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution
D008691:Methadone