ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Drug users have the same rights to health care as other people. Furthermore, they have health care needs that are likely to exceed their age-matched norm. Many drug users are not in contact with structured drug treatment programmes, either because they have yet to reach the point where they need or want to address their problem drug use or because they have chosen to treat their addiction without using prescribed drugs. Although not in touch with specialist drug services during this time, drug users could use, and certainly could benefit from, the health care services provided by their local community pharmacy.
