Reduction in crime by drug users on a methadone maintenance therapy programme in New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to estimate changes in drug use, crime, imprisonment and societal costs among a sample of Maori and non-Maori injecting drug users (IDUs) on a methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) programme in Christchurch, New Zealand.


METHODS
Fifty-one non-Maori and 34 Maori IDUs were interviewed to obtain a self-reported history of drug use, crime, imprisonment, and effects on personal health. Information was obtained on drug use and crime before starting MMT and also after stabilisation on MMT. Follow-up interviews were conducted 18 months (mean) after the first interview.


RESULTS
Considerable reductions in the frequency of crime occurred--with 60% of participants reporting they committed crimes every day before MMT, compared with only 1% at interview. Large reductions were reported in both expenditure on illicit drugs and income from illegal activities. Reductions in opioid use and crime were similar for both Maori and non-Maori. A significant minority of participants reported continuing some form of crime while on MMT; 29% reported committing at least one offence during the week prior to interview.


CONCLUSIONS
MMT is associated with a large reduction in the costs of crime and imprisonment among IDUs. This reduction in crime is similar for both Maori and non-Maori.
Sheerin
Ian
I
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Christchurch, New Zealand. ian.sheerin@chmeds.ac.nz
Green
Terri
T
Sellman
Douglas
D
Adamson
Simon
S
Deering
Daryle
D
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003415:Crime / Q000191:economics / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009520:New Zealand; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D044465:White People
D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone