[Life expectancy of the drug addict]

The exact characterization of the epidemiology of drug-related mortality demands investigations of cross-sectional dates and the pursuit of trends under scientifically correct conditions. At the moment the possibilities of research in this field are limited. This is the reason why conclusions concerning the life expectancy of drug-addicts should be drawn with caution. Although systemic studies are not available and--for different reasons--cannot be expected in the FRG few sample surveys do exist which may be considered indicative of certain trends in mortality. Besides the Netherlands the FRG has become the most important market characterized by a rapid increase in illegal drug traffic. The number of drug-related deaths dramatically rises and the elder age-groups are increasingly concerned with the age-group from 20 top 30 years displaying a significantly increased mortality in connection with drug abuse. The epidemiologic development described so far is supposed even to be aggravated because the i.v.-drug-addicts are at high risk to acquire a hepatitis or HIV-infection.