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A 1985 general population survey was conducted by Gallup in Great Britain. Subjects (4,148) were questioned about their use of benzodiazepines of whom 1,284 were also questioned about their alcohol, cigarette and caffeine consumption. Data were examined to find possible multiple substance misuse. No strong evidence could be found. People taking benzodiazepines at the time of the survey consumed significantly less alcohol than non-users or past users. Cigarette consumption was found to be increased in current and past benzodiazepine users. Subgroups of benzodiazepine users, defined as 'high users, 'dosage escalators' or 'chronic users' were also examined. Again no strong evidence of multiple substance misuse could be found. However, high users and dosage escalators did smoke more than others. Concurrent misuse of benzodiazepines and other legally available psychoactive substances is not common in the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a sample census of giant tortoises in the south-eastern region of Aldabra atoll, the size of the markable population was estimated as 87 300. A subsequent recapture study of the same population gave an estimate of 68 100. Sampling errors are unlikely to account for the difference, which is significant at the 1% level. After taking into account obvious violations of the underlying assumptions the difference remains. The sample census estimate is thought to be the more reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]