Continuing the Epidemiological Function of the Addicts Index-evidence from matching the Home Office Addicts Index with the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System

摘要

We discuss the Addicts Index (AI) and examine whether the epide-miological trends of the AI can be continued by the regional drug misuse databases (DMDs, now known as National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS). Methods: (i) Matching individuals recorded as addicted to opiates and/or cocaine in the AI with those reported to the North Thames Drug Misuse Database (NT-DMD) 1992-1996; (ii) comparison of trends over time. Findings: Of 26,120 notifications to the AI from North Thames 73 % were also reported to drug misuse database. There were no significant differences in the proportion of notifications reported over time or by sex. At least 80% of reports from specialist drug agencies were matched compared to approximately 60% of reports from GPs (x~2 p < 0.001). Compared to specialist drug agencies the adjusted odds ratio of being reported to NT-DMD was 0.45 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.49) for GPs. Nationally time trends in notifications to AI and reports to DMDs were highly correlated (Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.98). Conclusions: The epidemiological function of the AI can be continued. However, new strategies are urgently required to improve reporting from GPs.