The fieldwork for the study was conducted over a 6-month period ending in January 2001. The research included a detailed study of 81 files of problem drug users (26 Blacks and 55 Whites) registered with the project, which has a long-standing history of providing services to drug users, primarily long-term opiate users. The analysis was guided by the definition of problematic drug use developed by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. According to this definition, problem drug use involves excessive consumption of drugs on a regular basis and/or dependence on drugs that results in physical, psychological, social, or legal problems; in 1988 the definition was broadened to recognize the spread of HIV/AIDS through intravenous drug use. The direction of the interviews was based on findings from the Black clients' files. All the clients presented heroin as their primary drug, and the drug was consumed daily at the time of presentation to the project. The amount of heroin used by the Black clients ranged from 0.25 grams to 1.5 grams a day; for the White clients, consumption was 0.25 grams to 2 grams daily. The Black clients were apparently more likely than the White clients to have had their first taste of heroin later in their adult life, often in their 20's. Many were engaged in polydrug use. Crack cocaine was the most common combination. The extent to which the drug-using habits of the Black clients in this study were precipitated by socioeconomic needs or were the resultant effects of deprivation was unclear. There were indications that both Black and White clients had financial difficulties exemplified in rent and council tax arrears and outstanding utility bills. The two racial groups had a high level of unemployment and a significant reliance on state benefits. One of the areas of concern associated with Black problematic drug use relates to gaps in service provision for Black drug users and barriers to seeking the help of drug services. Virtually all the Black clients had a past criminal record; of these, 68 percent had served a prison sentence. For the White clients, 46 percent of those with a criminal record had served a custodial sentence. Most of the offenses of both Black and White clients were property crimes. The Black clients were more likely than their White counterparts to be convicted for a drug offense. 4 tables, 5 notes, and 56 references