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An internal audit of opiate users approaching the Belfast Community Addiction Service was carried out over a 12 month period (October 1999-October 2000). The findings were as follows:

• 73 opiate users approached the service for treatment;
• 60% were male and 40% female;
• 25% were currently using heroin intravenously;
• 13% had a history of injecting heroin;
• 4% had received methadone elsewhere (UK);
• seven people tested positive for hepatitis C;
• one person tested HIV positive;
• for 62 people, their hepatitis C or HIV status was unknown.

As a result of this audit, a two year research project through the Royal College of Nursing and the University of Ulster, funded by the EHSSB, has been established to look at harm reduction strategies for injecting drug users. The emphasis will be on engagement and retention of clients into the Belfast Community Addiction Service. Pre and post test counselling will also be a feature of this initiative.

For more information about this research project, contact Briege Quinn, North and West Belfast Community Addiction Team (028 9056 6057).

Reference

1. Quinn B. Belfast Community Addiction Service. Audit of opiate users. Unpublished, 2000.