Transitions between routes of benzodiazepine administration among heroin users in Sydney

AbstractA sample of 312 heroin users were interviewed regarding their benzodiazepine use. The majority (94%) had used bensodiazepines, 72% in the 6 months prior to interview. Benzodiazepine injecting was common, with 28% of the sample having injected these drugs, 13% in the 6 months preceding interview. Current benzodiazepine injectors showed greater polydrug use, injection‐related HIV risk‐taking behaviour, criminal involvement, psychological distress and injection‐related health problems, as well as poorer general health, and an increased risk of having overdosed, than other users of benzodiazepines. Of those subjects mho had injected benzodiasepines, 55% were no longer current benzodiazepine injectors. Concern for general health emerged as the most common reason for having made a transition away from injecting, and for being likely to make such a transition.