Views of illicit drug users on their treatment and behaviour in Scottish community pharmacies: implications for the harm-reduction strategy

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Abstract
A recent harm-reduction strategy has brought drug users into community pharmacies. During 1996, 124 illicit drug users in and around Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow were interviewed to elicit their experiences of pharmacies. Many interviewees had experienced negative treatment, and some had demonstrated negative behaviour. Drug users preferred pharmacies in which they had experienced positive treatment, and this has consequences for resource allocation. Stigma was a key issue, and a poor self-image combined with apparent negative treatment may provoke negative behaviour. Education of pharmacists to promote positive attitudes, and education of drug users on what to expect from pharmacies, would encourage a more harmonious relationship and enable effective health promotion.