[Evaluation of first 8 pilot methadone maintenance treatment clinics in China].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of the first eight pilot methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics in China.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey of the clients at the 8 pilot MMT clinics was performed at entry, 6 month and 12 month follow-up. Drug using behaviors, drug related crime behaviors, and relationships in families were compared among at entry, 6 and 12 months follow-up.


RESULTS
There were 585, 609 and 468 clients involved at baseline, 6 month and 12 month follow-up surveys, respectively. At entry, 6 month and 12 month follow-up, the proportion of clients whose injection of drugs reduced from 69.1% to 8.9% and 8.8%, and the frequency of injection in the past month had reduced from 90 times per month to 2 times per month. Employment rate increased from 22.9% to 43.2% and 40.6%, and self-reported criminal behaviors reduced from 20.7% to 3.6% and 3.8%. At 12 month follow-up, 65.8% of clients reported a healthy family relationship, increased from 46.8% at entry, 95.9% of clients reported that they were satisfied with the MMT service.


CONCLUSIONS
Pilot MMT program reduced drug use, drug injecting behaviors, drug related criminal behaviors, and improved relationship with family members. Therefore, MMT clinic should be considered as a platform for providing comprehensive services to drug users.
Pang
Lin
L
National Working Group on MMT, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Mi
Guo-dong
GD
Wang
Chang-he
CH
Luo
Wei
W
Rou
Ke-ming
KM
Li
Jian-hua
JH
Wu
Zun-you
ZY
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002681:China; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone