Philip M. Fleming

Is the Prescription of Amphetamine Justified as a Harm Reduction Measure

Although amphetamine is the most widely illicitly used drug in the United Kingdom after cannabis, relatively few proble matic users present to treatment agencies. Injecting ampheta mine users are a high risk group as far as HIV transmission is concerned. This paper reviews the first 3 years operation of an oral amphetamine prescribing programme for injecting users. Over half the subjects ceased injecting, and there was a consid erable reduction in injecting by the remainder. 85% had not used or shared injecting equipment during the programme. However, subjects reported still using street amphetamine and offending, although at a lower rate than previously. There was little change in sexual practices. There was an increase in primary amphetamine users presenting for treatment. There is a case to be made that closely controlled and monitored programmes such as this can be justified on harm reduction grounds. A number of issues concerned with amphetamine prescribing are discussed.

Book Review: Drink, drugs and dependence

An introduction to nutrition and metabolism By David A Bender. Published by Taylor and Francis, London 2002. Third edition. Paperback 464 pp. Price £22.99 ISBN 0-415-25799-9. Hardback edition Price £60.00 ISBN 0-415-25798-0 This is an excellent, refreshing introductory textbook by an experienced teacher and researcher. In his preface, the author states his intention: x93This book is intended to provide a foundation of scientific knowledge and understanding from which to interpret and evaluate future advances in nutrition and health sciences.x94 He has fully achieved his aim. Each chapter consists of a brief introduction, objectives (or learning aims), problems and additional resources, which are provided on a CD which comes with the book. Nutrition is about food, and this is where the introduction to the subject begins x93Why we eatx94 and this is followed by four chapters dealing with the pathways of metabolism of food constituents. Overweight and obesity are discussed in Chapter 6 and the relation of diet to the diseases of affluence in Chapter 7, and proteinenergy in Chapter 8. Protein nutrition and metabolism are dealt with in Chapter 9 and there is a discussion of the integration of metabolism in Chapter 10. The final chapter deals with micronutrients their requirements and what they do. The text is well-illustrated with tables, diagrams and chemical formulae, all of which are clearly presented. This book can be warmly recommended as a readable and thought-provoking text. The fact that this is the third edition would seem to speak for itself. John W T Dickerson Emeritus Professor of Human Nutrition

Book Reviews : Epidemology of mental Disorders and Psychosocial Problems DEMENTIA by A S Henderson. Published by World Health Organisation, 1994. 62 pp. Sw fr 17 (or Sw fr 11. 90 in developing countries). Paperback. ISBN: 924 156164 5

Whistleblowing: Subversion or Corporate Citizenship Edited by Gerald Vinten. Published by Paul Chapman, Publishers, London and St Martins Press, New York, 1994. 197 pp. £15. 95. Paperback. ISBN: 185396-238-4 This text is edited by member of Council, Professor Gerald Vinten. Whistleblowing informing on illegal and unethical practices in the workplace is increasingly common. It can have tragic consequences to the individual, and threaten the survival of the organisation complained about. A possible Code of Practice and agreed procedures, including arbitration, is recommended. The book provides a balanced approach to a topic that generates much emotion and debate. A

Book Reviews : Is My Child Hyperactive? by Jo Douglas. Published by Penguin Books,1991. 186 pp, £5.99 Paperback. ISBN: 0-14-011974-4

back. ISBN: 0-632-02813-0 ’Building Surveys and Reports’ is a complete and definitive text book for Building Surveyors and Architects which should be compulsory reading for all students of the subject. It is also worthy of a place close to hand for all practising Surveyors. It covers every aspect of the work in considerable detail and is enhanced by photographs and sketches which illustrate important parts of the text. All types of buildings are included; residential, commercial and industrial, and the book covers both old and new methods