This article examines the detection and treatment of drug abuse associated with liver disease, which the authors believe is a serious problem amongst adolescents using drugs.

The rapid growth in the number of intravenous drug abusers carries with it a corresponding increase in the risk of liver disease among such drug-users. It was estimated that about six tenths of the users attending the National Drug Advisory and Treatment Centre will develop chronic active hepatitis. Added to this is the increased number of close contacts between drug users, who would also be at risk of contracting disease, including contacts not receiving treatment for drug misuse.

The authors argue that the problem should be combated through preventative methods. Education and policy should aim to reduce and ideally eliminate intravenous drug misuse. In the meantime, they recommend that facilities should be made available for the management of these patients, and that a programme of vaccination should be introduced.