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BMC Public Health

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Open Access 01-12-2007 | Research article

Validating estimates of problematic drug use in England

Authors: Martin Frisher, Heath Heatlie, Matthew Hickman

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2007

Abstract

Background

UK Government expenditure on combatting drug abuse is based on estimates of illicit drug users, yet the validity of these estimates is unknown. This study aims to assess the face validity of problematic drug use (PDU) and injecting drug use (IDU) estimates for all English Drug Action Teams (DATs) in 2001. The estimates were derived from a statistical model using the Multiple Indicator Method (MIM).

Methods

Questionnaire study, in which the 149 English Drug Action Teams were asked to evaluate the MIM estimates for their DAT.

Results

The response rate was 60% and there were no indications of selection bias. Of responding DATs, 64% thought the PDU estimates were about right or did not dispute them, while 27% had estimates that were too low and 9% were too high. The figures for the IDU estimates were 52% (about right), 44% (too low) and 3% (too high).

Conclusion

This is the first UK study to determine the validity estimates of problematic and injecting drug misuse. The results of this paper highlight the need to consider criterion and face validity when evaluating estimates of the number of drug users.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/7/286/prepub

Title: Validating estimates of problematic drug use in England
Authors: Martin Frisher
Heath Heatlie
Matthew Hickman
Publication date: 01-12-2007
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2007
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-7-286

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Validating estimates of problematic drug use in England

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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