title: Improving entry to methadone maintenance among out-of-treatment injection drug users.
abstract: This study of 577 out-of-treatment drug injectors was designed to assess predictors of methadone maintenance treatment entry, including offering free treatment coupons. Using targeted sampling methods, participants were recruited through street outreach; randomly, they were either assigned a coupon for 90 days of free treatment or required to pay for their treatment. Regardless of assignment, all subjects who desired treatment were provided transportation, rapid intake, and a waiver of the treatment entry fee. Overall, 33% entered treatment, including 66% of those who received a free coupon. Other factors associated with treatment entry included desire for treatment, heroin use, prior treatment experience, associating with fewer drug-using friends, and injecting with a previously used unsterile needle/syringe. Injecting cocaine and smoking crack reduced the probability of treatment entry. Findings lend support to street outreach efforts designed to increase rates of treatment entry among chronic out-of-treatment drug injectors. Additional treatment options are required for those abusing cocaine.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 80206, Denver, CO, USA. robert.booth@uchsc.edu
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.forename: Karen F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Corsi
authors.forename: Susan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mikulich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone