What is the psychiatrist's role in drugs and alcohol?

Objective: This article describes a consensus view of the role of psychiatrists in respect of alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems, in response to the view expressed by Wodak [1].

Method: The data were selected on the basis of the knowledge and experience of the authors.

Results: Psychiatrists have made major contributions in the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of AOD problems over many years in Australia and New Zealand.

Health status of a group of narcotic addicts in a methadone treatment programme.

This study, which arose out of a concern for the health status of narcotic addicts already in a treatment programme, has demonstrated that there is a severe level of impairment of general health. A summary of important findings is reported. Narcotic addiction leads to secondary medical morbidity and mortality, but health impairment also follows the gross disorder of living which has its roots in childhood, and early adolescent experience.