Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-wg55d Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-03T00:40:06.606Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Expenditure of compensation from legal claims in an opiate dependent population

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Dermot P Cohen ,
Helen Barry ,
Emma Unoh  and
John J O'Connor
Dermot P Cohen*
Affiliation:
Drug Treatment Centre Board
John J O'Connor
Affiliation:
Drug Treatment Centre Board, Trinity Court, 30-31 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
*
*Correspondence E-mail: dermotcohen@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This study examined the expenditure of compensation received from legal claims by service users attending an outpatient methadone programme in Dublin. Most claims (n = 62) were as a result of road traffic accidents (74%) or personal injury (15%). There were 28 reports of claims resulting in payment of compensation totalling €912,871. Of the compensation not placed in trust (€477,871), almost 40% was spent on drugs and 8% on alcohol. Of those who reported no drug misuse at the time of the compensation being paid, seven out of 11 (64%) reported subsequently spending a significant amount on substance misuse.

The risks of receiving large amounts of money in this population are substantial and include initiation and exacerbation of substance misuse, and risk of overdose. Alternative ways of managing the payment of compensation should be considered for this vulnerable population.

Keywords

Opiate dependenceCompensationSubstance abuse
Type
Brief Report
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , September 2010 , pp. 141 - 142
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Schmidt, L, Dohan, D, Wiley, J, Zabkiewicz, D.Addiction and Welfare Dependency: Interpreting the Connection. Social Problems 2002; 49(2): 221–241.Google Scholar
2.Jayakody, , Rukmalie, , Danziger, S, Pollack, R.Welfare reform, substance abuse, and mental health. J Health Politics, Policy and Law 2000; 25: 623–651.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Movig, KL, Mathijssen, MP, Nagel, PH, van Egmond, T, de Gier, JJ, Leufkens, HG, Egberts, AC.Psychoactive substance use and the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Accid Anal Prev 2004; 36: 631–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Fitzpatrick, P, Daly, L, Leavy, CP, Cusack, DA.Drinking, drugs and driving in Ireland: more evidence for action. Inj Prev 2006; 12: 404–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5. Road Safety Authority of Ireland. Road Collision Facts Ireland, 2006.Google Scholar