THE INTRODUCTION OF A METHADONE PRESCRIBING PROGRAM TO A DRUG-FREE TREATMENT SERVICE - IMPLICATIONS FOR HARM REDUCTION

In 1990, a National Health drug treatment service with a non-opiate pr escribing policy introduced an oral methadone treatment programme for problem opiate users, in addition to existing counselling services. Th e present study aimed to evaluate the implications of this policy chan ge by comparing two client groups in terms of defined harm reduction v ariables. The groups consisted of 39 clients presenting to the service prior to methadone prescribing (pre-methadone group), and 41 clients who attended for treatment after methadone prescribing had commenced ( post-methadone group). Data analysis revealed that 83% of the post-met hadone group remained in treatment for longer than 6 months, in compar ison with 13% of clients in the pre-methadone group (p < 0.00001). Oth er significant differences were noted in treatment outcome, where find ings indicated that clients in the post-methadone group were more like ly to report cessation of injecting behaviour and continued illicit dr ug use. Detected crime in the post-methadone group was reduced, and gr eater positive change in terms of personal relationships was reported. The study concludes that the introduction of a methadone treatment pr ogramme appears to have improved treatment outcome significantly far p roblem opiate users presenting in the service.