Drug abuse and the private practice of medicine

Data from a survey of private physicians in New Orleans, Louisiana, conducted in order to determine the extent to which they have encountered patients with symptoms related to drug abuse, is presented. A surprisingly high incidence is noted (median of 5.0 cases in the last year) with an especially large number of minor tranquilizer problems of particular interest. Patients tend to be White, old, and female when compared with populations of individuals usually considered more prone to drug problems. It is suggested that this high incidence indicates the need for drug abuse to be included more extensively in the training of medical personnel.