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A 12-month prospective comparison of court-diverted with self-referred heroin users.

Forty-seven heroin users referred by the Drug and Alcohol Court Assessment Programme (DACAP) were compared with 45 self-referred heroin users at 12 months post-presentation. Data at presentation indicated distinct subpopulations were generated by each referral source. Differences were recorded in age, heroin use, marital status, educational level, employment history and age of onset of anti-social behaviour. The DACAP scheme exerted an earlier health intervention effect in a sample experiencing dysfunction in other areas, principally legally and socially. Prospective data demonstrated that both samples reported significant reductions in the proportion using heroin. Differences between samples evident at presentation were expressed prospectively, in rates of employment, incarceration and involvement in methadone maintenance programmes. The limitations of diverting clientele from the legal system to the treatment system is discussed in light of these results.