Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 28, Issue 1 , Pages 35-40, January 2005

The impact of illicit drug market changes on health agency operations in Sydney, Australia

  • Amy Gibson, B.Sc.(Hons), B.A.

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052 Australia. Tel.: +61 (0)2 9385 0333; fax: +61 (0)2 9385 0222
    • ,
  • Carolyn Day, B.Sc.(Hons)
    • ,
  • Louisa Degenhardt, Ph.D., M.Psych.(Clinical)

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Received 26 March 2004; received in revised form 14 October 2004; accepted 28 October 2004.

Abstract 

At the end of 2000, in Sydney, Australia, there was a dramatic reduction in heroin availability. This study examines how health agencies treating clients for drug and alcohol related issues were able to respond to the changes that took place in their clients and their treatment needs. Key informant interviews were conducted with 48 staff from a wide range of health services in Sydney to provide the data for a thematic analysis. Changes experienced by health agencies included changed patterns of drug use in their clients, increased aggressive incidents, changed numbers of clients accessing treatment services, and a need for more assistance from outside agencies. A strong evidence base for a range of drug treatment options, support of staff development in aggression management skills, and development of good interagency links between mental health, drug and alcohol, and law enforcement services would make health services better prepared for future changes in the drug use of their clients.

Keywords: Drug treatment, Heroin, Treatment agencies, Drug supply

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PII: S0740-5472(04)00125-4

doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2004.10.004

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 28, Issue 1 , Pages 35-40, January 2005

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