Cutting their coat according to their cloth: economic behavior of Amsterdam opiate users

This article presents the initial results of a panel study among 150 opiate users in Amsterdam. The study concentrates on the economic behavior of addicts. Figures are presented about the amount and kinds of drugs used. Further, the predominant sources of income are examined. The main conclusions are that the use of drugs is highly elastic and dependent on the available money rather than on the physical need. Second, the average age of users is rapidly increasing, with very few new young users joining the ranks of the addicts. Third, methadone treatment in itself has no effect on the level of property crime.