A comparison of drug-related problems in London Accident and Emergency Departments 1975-1982.

Drug-related incidents dealt with by ten Accident and Emergency departments in Greater London during July 1982 were compared with those obtained from an identical survey in 1975. The number of incidents remained high, but there was a significant reduction in them and in the number of drug dependent attenders, compared with 1975: hypnotic drugs were used in a significantly smaller percentage of drug overdoses, but there was increased use of minor tranquillisers. The possibility of using A & E departments to monitor drug misuse on a Regional basis is discussed.