Drug Dependency Units: what information do they provide for epidemiological surveillance?

Authors

  • Carla Guerra-Tort Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela
  • Sara Correia Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela
  • Ana Teijeiro Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
  • María Isolina Santiago-Pérez Department of Epidemiology, General Directorate of Public Health – Xunta de Galicia, Santiago de Compostela
  • María Carou Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit, University Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela
  • Agustín Montes Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela / Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela / CIBER in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid
  • Mónica Pérez-Ríos Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela / Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela / CIBER in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20882/adicciones.2401

Keywords:

substance abuse treatment centers, illicit drugs, public health surveillance, substance-related disorders

Abstract

To describe the evolution of the number of initial and follow-up consultations in Galician Drug Dependency Units (DUU) for treatment of harms due to consumption of illegal substances between 2015-2021.  Descriptive analysis of Galician DDU records for seven categories of substances, overall and by sex.  Between 2015-2021, a total of 66,856 consultations took place. Of the patients, 82.1% were men and heroin was the substance that generated the most consultations (57.7%), followed by cocaine (21.7%) and cannabis (14.6%).  Knowing the level of demand for treatment and needs of patients in DDU can be useful in the surveillance of addictive disorders in a population. However, it is necessary to improve how data are recorded to obtain information with a greater level of detail. 

References

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Published

2025-09-22

Issue

Section

Letters to the Editors