From Mr M. Bennett, MRPharmS
SIR,-I would like to give support to Mr Diamond and other pharmacists who are involved in providing services for drug addicts, particularly in inner cities (PJ, July 22, p129). Hard work, additional risks and a fair degree of frustration are the order of the day. However, perhaps I could share a little good news.
The Sheffield Star newspaper had two reports recently which at least helped to lighten the gloom. First, it was reported that crime figures for Sheffield had dropped and that this was against the trend for England. Later in the week it was reported that deaths associated with drugs of abuse had fallen by 70 per cent, dropping to six during the first six months from 22 for the same period last year.
These may be no more than "blips" but they do coincide with a number of local initiatives developed through Sheffield Health. These include the opening of a new primary care drug dependency clinic, movement towards supervised methadone supply aided by the development of Sheffield's coordinated pharmacy services for drug users (PJ, July 1, p25), an increased teamwork approach between the various drug agencies and a major effort by the coroner to publicise the previously escalating toll of "drug deaths".
Currently there are well over 600 individuals in Sheffield being treated with methadone. If we estimate their habit had been costing them in the region of £80 per day each, then a figure of around £50,000 per day was previously required to service this for Sheffield as a whole. The figures are frightening - £50,000 per day, £350,000 per week, £1.5m per calendar month, over £18m per year - the vast majority of which would be funded through crime.
I believe that Sheffield Health is to be congratulated on its investment in this area. The benefits are beginning to show, I also believe that Sheffield's community pharmacists are to be equally congratulated. Almost 50 per cent of pharmacies are now involved in providing methadone, three quarters of whom undertake supervised supply along with provision of health care advice. These front-line pharmacists are having daily contact with this difficult group of clients, something no other professionals manage.
The frustration level is high, but the potential rewards to both the individual clients and the community at large are staggering. In addition, for once, the service in Sheffield is funded to a level which may not be generous, but is reasonable. If only deliveries to the housebound, fitting trusses (home and away) and our service to care homes were funded in a similar manner.
Martin Bennett
Sheffield