RETROSPECTIVE INVESTIGATION OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CHARACTERISTICS OF DRUG ABUSE IN SHANGHAI

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of drug abuse in Shanghai and provide scientific data for drug abuse prevention and treatment. Methods: Retrospective investigation and analysis were carried out in 23 730 drug abusers who underwent either voluntary or compulsory detoxification during 1992 to 2000. Results: The majority of the drug abusers in Shanghai were young, unmarried and unemployed male. The epidemiological characteristics of drug abuse in Shanghai were: (1) the number of drug abusers was increasing year after year;(2) the number of drug abusers under 18 years old increased sharply;(3) there were more female drug abusers; (4) polydrug abuse was serious and more drug varieties appeared;(5) more drug related crimes occurred;(6) drug abuse related physical diseases were increasing in drug abusers. Conclusion: Drug abuse problem is serious in Shanghai, which has done great harm to the drug abusers, their families and the society. It suggested that wide and urgent drug prevention education be carried out, especially among the risk population and management for drug abuse be developed.