[Drugs in Belgium. Current status and perspectives] NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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[Drugs in Belgium. Current status and perspectives]

Bull Mem Acad R Med Belg. 1989;144(11):580-7; discussion 587-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/90304440
Pelc I

Abstract: Problems connected with the use and abuse of licit or illicit drugs, causing dependency, are related to the pharmacological characteristics of the substance, to psychological traits of the user and to the social context. Hard drugs use such as heroin addiction concerns 8 to 10,000 people; alcohol abuse, 300,000. Nevertheless, some other data are worrying: 6% of high school students have occasionally tried cannabis, appropriate prescription and use of minor tranquillizers are problematic. At least 12% of IV drug addicts are HIV seropositive. Assistance and care must be available in multiple programs and performed by specialized teams in outpatient and inpatient facilities. They are insufficiently developed and funded. Treatment is effective but long-lasting, expensive and stabilization rate is low (30%). Prohibition exists and is supposed to reduce availability; preventive programs are to be developed among the public, educational and health professionals. Epidemiologic evaluations, toxicologic assessments, biological as well psychosocial research, have to be promoted.
Keywords: Adolescence Alcoholism/EPIDEMIOLOGY Belgium/EPIDEMIOLOGY English Abstract Human HIV Seropositivity/EPIDEMIOLOGY Substance Abuse/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL Substance Abuse, Intravenous/COMPLICATIONS/EPIDEMIOLOGY Substance Dependence/EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL JOURNAL ARTICLEKWDadolescencealcoholism/epidemiologybelgium/epidemiologyenglishabstracthumanhivseropositivity/epidemiologysubstanceabuse/KWDepidemiology/prevention&controlsubstanceabuse,intravenous/complications/epidemiologysubstancedependence/epidemiology/prevention&controljournalarticle
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M90A0657

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