A cohort of 169 opiate drug addicts was followed for 8 years. The mortality rate was 3.3 per year. The average lethality per observation year was found to be higher than in other studies. The treatment with methadone was unstable and only 11% had received stable prolonged maintenance treatment. It is not possible to reject a model that described increasing mortality rates neither as a function of falling methadone maintenance treatment nor as a function of socially unstable addicts contra stable addicts. Unemployment was high in the cohort (87%), and no relationship could be demonstrated between methadone maintenance treatment and employment.

Study objective -To examine (i) the extent of illness caused by contamination of a waterworks with waste water due to overflow, and its correlation with precipitation; (ii) the potential secondary spread; (iii) economic losses due to sick leave. Design -A historical follow up study with structured postal questionnaires. Setting -A small community on the outskirts of greater Copenhagen at the end of 1991 and the beginning of 1992.

Our negative findings are in accordance with the theory that illness among daycare children is largely a result of contact among children and the hygiene standards of the institution, and thus these are the factors that may need to be addressed to reduce the level of illness among daycare children.

As a step to limit the spread of AIDS, condoms were supplied free of charge in Copenhagen in youth clubs in connection with personal advice. A representative group of young people (N = 745) and of social workers in these clubs (N = 130) were asked to complete a structured questionnaire. The investigation revealed that the young were well informed about AIDS and its prevention, but despite this, they comprise a relative risk group with regard to the spread of AIDS due to high numbers of partners and poor habits with regard to the use of condoms. The campaign was well received by both the young and the youth club social workers. There was an obvious need for a continuation of such a campaign. It is concluded that youth clubs are a good forum for AIDS information.

A representative group of young persons (N=745), who used the youth clubs in Copenhagen were asked to fill in a structured questionnaire. A large group of the young had had their sexual debut (N=367). In respect of this group we found no correlation between prevention regarding geneeral health risk factors vs. prevention against HIV contraction. It is discussed as to whether this difference can be accepted as an expression of the fact that adolescents do not consider the risk of AIDS as something that can affect them. Similarly, current problems in the chain of knowledge, attitude and behaviour in relation to intervention programmes are also discussed, including ethical aspects.