Correlation between disease and community: is drug addiction a problem of fringe groups?

Addiction, because of its associated psychological and physical diseases, is producing increasing expenses through social burden and influencing the epidemiological situation of the whole population via sexual or simple intimate social contacts. Outstanding infectious diseases with a high incidence in drug addicts are tuberculosis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and the classical notifiable venereal diseases. Preventive measures are required, involving immunization and isolation. HIV infection is another increasing problem in drug addicts. The relatively long asymptomatic course in this population also raises the potential for the spread of AIDS to the general population. There is no ideal method for preventing this danger, but because the traditional abstinence paradigm has not been successful, methadone substitution is improving the medical compliance of this difficult clientele, reducing crime and prostitution and, at the same time, drug-associated risks for the general population.