Methadone maintenance treatment: outcomes from the Otago Methadone Programme

Aim. To provide information on methadone treatment outcomes for opiate-depe ndent individuals. Methods. Questionnaires and random urine tests were completed for 112 Otago clients comparing outcomes before and during methadone maintenance treatme nt. Results. Treatment retention rates were high, with 86% of clients remaining on the programme six months or more. The number of clients on benefits red uced by almost 30% during treatment, with employment rates doubling from 19 % to 40% (including attendance at educational programmes). For the 89 clien ts injecting opiates daily at initial presentation, 64% reported no opiate use in the three months prior to review. Of the remaining 36%, opiate use r educed significantly. Rates of sharing injecting equipment reduced by almos t 90%. Almost 50% of cannabis users reduced their use from daily to less th an daily use. Clients reporting no current use of illicit benzodiazepines i ncreased by 85%. Heavy binge drinking weekly or more reduced by almost 75%. Use of other illicit drugs reduced by almost 90%. Drug-related convictions reduced by almost 60%, while accidental drug overdoses reduced by over 90% . Conclusion. The widespread benefits of methadone maintenance treatment demo nstrated underline the importance of making quality methadone programmes re adily accessible within the health system. Currently, there are long waitin g lists and many individuals cannot gain access to active treatment. We bel ieve the health system urgently needs to look at expanding existing service s and/or establishing private methadone clinics similar to those in New Sou th Wales.