title: Can methadone maintenance for heroin-dependent patients retained in general practice reduce criminal conviction rates and time spent in prison?
abstract: A retrospective analysis was made of the criminal records of 57 patients successfully retained in methadone maintenance at two general practices in Sheffield. Their criminal conviction rates and time spent in prison per year were compared for the periods before and after the start of their methadone programme. Overall, patients retained on methadone programmes in the general practices studied had significantly fewer convictions and cautions, and spent significantly less time in prison than they had before the start of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Practice and Primary Care, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rowse
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mathers
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Seivewright
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003415:Crime / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011330:Prisons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone