[Trends in drug consumption among immigrants between 2004 and 2008].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the sociodemographic and drug use profile of immigrants attended in Castile-Leon (Spain).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective descriptive study comparing sociodemographic profiles and drug use variables through Pearson's chi-square test.

RESULTS

A total of 80.8% of drug users were men, with a mean age 33.8 years (SD: 9.0); 72.3% were from Latin America, Portugal and eastern Europe and 51.6% had lived for 5 years or less in Spain. The main drug used was heroine (43.8%), via smoking (43.5%); most drug users started using in the country of origin (64.3%). Comparisons between 2008 and 2004 showed the following significant differences: for men: mean age (33.8 vs 30.9); length of main drug use: > or =21 years (19.2% vs 8.3%); for women: main drug use: heroin plus cocaine (25.6% vs 3.6%); length of main drug use: 16-20 years (27.9% vs 4.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of drug use differed by country of origin. The most commonly used drug was heroin, and injection was a frequent route of administration. We identified a need to strengthen harm-reduction interventions in this collective, enhance surveillance and adapt health services.