PARTICIPATION IN AN OUTREACH-BASED COUPON DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM FOR FREE METHADONE DETOXIFICATION

Objective: The purpose of the study was to identify characteristics of injection-drug users that predicted whether subjects would redeem a c oupon for free methadone detoxification and to determine whether they were more likely to participate in a 90-day detoxification program tha n in a 21 -day program. Methods: A total of 4,390 current heroin users recruited through street-based outreach programs in Newark and Jersey City, New Jersey, accepted coupons for either 21 or 90 days (randomly determined) of methadone detoxification after they were interviewed a bout drug use and sexual behavior. Subjects also gave blood samples fo r HIV testing. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine vari ables associated with coupon redemption. Results: Of 4,390 coupons dis tributed, 58.5 percent were redeemed; the 90-day coupons were redeemed at a significantly higher rate (5 9.9 Percent) than the 21-day coupon s (5 6.9 percent). Among coupon redeemers, 43.6 percent had never rece ived formal drug treatment, and 44.9 percent were HIV seropositive. Fr equent heroin use, previous drug detoxification, frequent drug injecti on, cleaning needles with bleach, nonblack race, Hispanic ethnicity, a nd Newark residence each significantly predicted coupon redemption. Co nclusions: Outreach-based coupon distribution may be used to recruit l arge numbers of never-treated and HIV-infected drug users into treatme nt. The 90-day coupon was more effective in facilitating treatment ent ry.