A randomized trial of an interim methadone maintenance clinic

S.R. Yancovitz, D.C. Des Jarlais, N.P. Peyser, E. Drew, P. Friedmann, H.L. Trigg and J.W. Robinson

American Journal of Public Health, 1991, vol. 81, issue 9, 1185-1191

Abstract: Background. Interim methadone maintenance has been proposed as a method of providing clinically effective services to heroin addicts waiting for treatment in standard comprehensive methadone maintenance programs. Methods. A clinic that provided initial medical evaluation, methadone medication, and AIDS education, but did not include formal drug abuse counseling or other social support services was established in New York City. A sample of 301 volunteer subjects recruited from the waiting list for treatment in the Beth Israel methadone program were randomly assigned to immediate entry into the interim clinic or a control group. Results. There were no differences in initial levels of illicit drug use across the experimental and control groups. One-month urinalysis follow-up data showed a significant reduction in heroin use in the experimental group (from 63% positive at intake to 29% positive) with no change in the control group (62% to 60% positive). No significant change was observed in cocaine urinalyses (approximately 70% positive for both groups at intake and follow-up). A higher percentage of the experimental group were in treatment at 16-month follow-up (72% vs 56%). Conclusions. Limited services interim methadone maintenance can reduce heroin use among persons awaiting entry into comprehensive treatment and increase the percentage entering treatment.

Date: 1991
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1991:81:9:1185-1191_3

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