Methadone injecting in Australia: a tale of two cities

Aims. The injection of methadone syrup designed for oral consumption is pot entially associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Previous report s from Sydney, Australia have suggested a high prevalence of methadone inje cting by clients in methadone programmes and by heroin users not in methado ne treatment. This study sought to estimate the prevalence of methadone inj ecting by clients in community based methadone programmes in Melbourne, Aus tralia, which operate under different take away policies. Design. The study used a cross-sectional survey of methadone clients using a self-complete q uestionnaire. Subjects were recruited from randomly selected methadone disp ensing pharmacies across Melbourne. Participation was voluntary. Participan ts. One hundred and sixty-eight methadone clients were recruited to the stu dy. The mean age was 34.2 years; 59% were male. Findings. Two of 168 methad one clients reported having injected methadone within the preceding 6-month period. Conclusions. The lower prevalence of methadone injecting in Melbou rne (compared to Sydney) is thought to be due to the less liberal take-away policy, and the mandatory dilution of methadone take-aways to 200 mi of li quid. Implications for methadone rake-away policies and procedures are disc ussed.