Saliva secretion rate in a group of drug addicts (short communication)

Stimulated saliva secretion rate was measured in 40 parenteral drug addicts who had a preference for opiates. Illicit drug abuse or intake of legally prescribed medicine within the last 24 h were recorded. Mean saliva secretion rate for the whole group of drug addicts was 1.51 ml/min with no statistical difference from a control group (P greater than 0.30). However, drug addicts who had taken legally prescribed tranquillizers or sedatives had a reduced saliva secretion rate (1.01 ml/min), whereas no decrease was found among the individuals who had taken opiates within the last 24 h (1.42 ml/min, P greater than 0.10).