The number of injecting drug users sharing syringes and other equipment is 'much higher' than previously recorded, according to a survey carried out by the centre for research on drugs and health behaviour at Imperial College School of Medicine. The survey of 1,214 users not in contact with drug services found that 78 per cent had shared equipment in the previous four weeks. The prevalence of HIV was 1.7 per cent and prevalence of hepatitis B 20 per cent.

Survey of Prevalence of Sharing Syringes by Injecting Drug Users Not in Contact with Services. The centre for research on drugs and health behaviour, Imperial College School of Medicine. 0181-746 5582.