1. Etienne Maffli Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and other Drug Problems Lausanne, Switzerland Characteristics of male and female outpatients with drug-related problems: The situation in Switzerland between 1995 and 2003

2. Data 13585 treatment episodes monitored by SAMBAD between 1995 and 2003 (survey at intake) (statistics of the ambulatory services for alcohol or drug problems in Switzerland) Admissions with opiates, cocaine, stimulants, benzodiazepines, hallucinogens, inhalants or cannabis as main substance of abuse Centralised methadone programs and heroin prescription programmes not included Inpatients programmes not included Free participation of the services

3. Registered clients at intake N % Proportion of female clients in % 28.9 29.5 25.6 28.1 25.2 28.128.327.729.2 (overall proportion: 28.1%)

4. Primary drug: opiates and cocaine % opiates cocaine F M F M (male: N=9768; female: N=3817)

5. Primary drug: cannabis and benzodiazepines % cannabis benzos F M M F (male: N=9768; female: N=3817)

6. Primary drug: hallucinogens and stimulants % hallucinogens stimulants F F M M (male: N=9768; female: N=3817)

7. Mean age at intake age N=3565N=9290

8. Living status (with whom) (1995-2003) %

9. Living status (where) (1995-2003) %

10. Nationality (1995-2003) %

11. % Highest educational level completed (1995-2003)

12. Labor status: regular employment and training % regular employment pupil/student F F M M (male: N=9582; female: N=3735)

13. Labor status: unemployment and economical inactivity % economical inactivity unemployed M F F M (male: N=9582; female: N=3735)

14. Source of referral (1995-2003) % multiple responses allowed

15. Ever previously treated %

16. Already receiving substitutional treatment % (male: N=9095; female: N=3593)

17. Daily use of primary drug (1995-2003) %

18. Age at first use of primary drug (1995-2003) mean age

19. Secondary drugs of clients with opiates as primary drug (1995-2003) % Multiple responses allowed

20. Secondary drugs of clients with cannabis as primary drug (1995-2003) % Multiple responses allowed

21. Secondary drugs of clients with cocaine as primary drug (1995-2003) % Multiple responses allowed

22. Secondary drugs of clients with benzodiazepines as primary drug (1995-2003) % Multiple responses allowed

23. Currently injecting drugs (past 30 days prior intake) %

24. Opiates or cocaine as primary drug: Injecting as usual route of administration %

25. Conclusions The proportion of female clients (28%) is quite lower than that of male clients and remains stable over time Both educational level and socio-economical status are generally less favorable among female clients Female clients are more often living with partners and/or children than male clients Broadly similar patterns of substance use and route of administration prior treatment intake are observed among male and female clients The profile of male and female clients seeking help for benzodiazepine-related problems seems to differ, suggesting a different etiology