Sunday, 19 January 2014 - 04:32
Decrease in problematic heroin users
The number of problematic opiate users in the Netherlands dropped by an estimated 21 percent, compared to the period 2008-2009, according to a report from the Trimbos Institute and the Community Health Services Amsterdam (GGD-Amsterdam).
The decrease is in line with a decrease of 24 percent in the dependency care in the same period, according to the report: "Number and characteristics of problematic opiate users in the Netherlands."
Pyschoactive_Drugs,
author unknown,
Wikimedia commons In 2012 there were about 14,000 users, compared to 17,700 in 2008-2009. The National Alcohol and Drugs Information System (LADIS), who registers dependency care patients anonymously, also saw a drop in their numbers from 16,232 in 2008 to 12,313 in 2012, which means the numbers keep a similar pace. A problematic opiate user is dependent on heroin, methadone, crack, sniff cocaine, cannabis or ecstasy. The report also differentiates between more and less problematic opiate users. A more problematic user is someone who uses heroin and/or methadone at least three times a week, and is involved in criminal activities, has a psychiatric illness, is a cause of nuisance, or is in a unstable living arrangement. An opiate user who is stabilized on methadone is seen as less problematic, however still included in the report.
author unknown,
Wikimedia commons In 2012 there were about 14,000 users, compared to 17,700 in 2008-2009. The National Alcohol and Drugs Information System (LADIS), who registers dependency care patients anonymously, also saw a drop in their numbers from 16,232 in 2008 to 12,313 in 2012, which means the numbers keep a similar pace. A problematic opiate user is dependent on heroin, methadone, crack, sniff cocaine, cannabis or ecstasy. The report also differentiates between more and less problematic opiate users. A more problematic user is someone who uses heroin and/or methadone at least three times a week, and is involved in criminal activities, has a psychiatric illness, is a cause of nuisance, or is in a unstable living arrangement. An opiate user who is stabilized on methadone is seen as less problematic, however still included in the report.