Opiate and crack-cocaine users

This research report uses available data to estimate the number of new users of opiates and, or crack-cocaine (OCUs) between 2005 and 2013. This paper estimates that around 5,000 to 8,000 individuals may have started using opiates and, or crack-cocaine in 2013, which is down by about a fifth compared with 2005 and down hugely since the 1980s and 1990s when there was a large surge in new users of opiates and, or crack-cocaine (OCUs).

The data does suggest that the number of new OCUs may have flattened since around 2011, though there are no signs that it is set to turn upwards.

The report also finds evidence of a possible shift in certain characteristics of new OCUs, with more older initiates, and more individuals coming to treatment sooner in their drug-using careers.

本研究报告利用现有数据，对2005年至2013年间新近开始使用阿片类药物或可卡因（OCUs）的用户数量进行估算。据此，论文推测2013年大约有5,000至8,000名个体开始使用阿片类药物或可卡因，与2005年相比，这一数字下降了约五分之一，与20世纪80年代和90年代相比，当时阿片类药物或可卡因（OCUs）的新用户数量激增，下降幅度尤为显著。数据表明，自2011年左右起，新OCUs的数量可能趋于平稳，尽管尚无迹象显示其趋势将逆转。此外，报告还发现新OCUs的某些特征可能发生了转变，表现为开始使用年龄偏大的个体增多，以及更多个体在药物使用生涯早期便开始接受治疗。