Community pharmacy support staff and their opinions on services for problem drug users in inner London

AIM (.) To obtain the views of pharmacy staff on providing services for problem drug users and on whether such services should be provided from pharmacies. DESIGN (.) Self-completion questionnaire by postal survey to pharmacists to distribute to pharmacy staff. SUBJECTS AND SETTING (.) Community pharmacy SUB staff (excluding pharmacists) working in dispensaries or on health care counters. OUTCOME MEASURES (.) Attitudes towards drug users, attitudes towards service provision, involvement in services provision. RESULTS (.) There were high levels of involvement in service provision, and just over half of all staff reported that they were happy to be involved in service pro-vision and two thirds believed that the pharmacy was an appropriate place for providing these services. Positive attitudes were associated with service provision. 28% reported having experienced verbal abuse or violence from known or suspected drug users. Over one third of respondents indicated that they would like to have more training, mainly in managing aggressive behaviour. CONCLUSION (.) Where staff are involved in providing services, they should receive appropriate training and support. Their role in facilitating service provision to this sometimes difficult client group needs to be recognised.