Help-seeking and referrals in a needle exchange: a comprehensive service to injecting drug users.

From November 1987 to March 1989 total number of clients, visits made, including numbers of new clients and second visits, and referrals to other agencies were routinely monitored at The Cleveland Street Needle Exchange, the Middlesex Hospital, London. During the study period a total of 510 onward referrals were made, involving 277 clients. Of these, 305 (59.7%) were to drug agencies and 187 (36.7%) to medical services. A sample of clients were interviewed to identify demographic and behavioural characteristics. Comparisons were made between those clients receiving referrals and the general client population; no significant differences were found in terms of sex, age and current patterns of drug use. However, those who accepted and took up referrals were found to have begun opiate use, injecting drug use and daily injecting at an earlier age than the general client population. The scheme attracts and retains its clients and provides a comprehensive service to a client group not currently in contact with other services.