It seems to be working well and there has been a cut in the drugs people are taking by about a quarter

Dr John McMurray

Although the clinic, which runs for an hour each week, only deals with 12 addicts, Dr John McMurray said he has seen fantastic results with drug abuse cut by a quarter.

Addicts are so keen to stay on the programme that the almost daily verbal abuse of staff has vanished.

Others have stopped stealing to feed their addiction and three addicts with repeated convictions for assault; theft and burglary have not offended for over two years.

Dr McMurray said he was so pleased with the one stop clinic that he hopes to see other GPs taking up the scheme.

Drug abuse has been cut by a quarter

He said that at first the scheme had been very unpopular with addicts, who had been reluctant to sign the four-way contract with the GP, local drugs service and the pharmacist.

"We set it up to help them deal with their problems, but they had to promise not to be aggressive and to turn up on time and to take regular tests to make sure they are not taking other drugs on top of those they are being prescribed.

"It seems to be working well and there has been a cut in the drugs people are taking by about a quarter."

Enforcing policy

Dr McMurray said his team would be very strict on anyone stepping out of line.

"Occasionally we have to ask someone to leave because they are abusive or have been selling their drugs on. Then they have to be asked to leave the clinic for three months."

Dr Hamish Meldrum, joint deputy chairman of the BMA's GPs Committee said schemes like this need to be run in conjunction with other services, but admitted they would not be suitable for all practices.

"Schemes such as this are quite frequently provided by GPs with a special interest in this area of medicine, but they are not appropriate for all GPs.

"You do need back up resources, for example social workers to look after the other needs of these people. It is much better if it is done in a co-ordinated way and in a lot of areas this is not possible."