Improving treatment enrollment and re-enrollment rates of syringe exchangers: 12-month outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Developing bridges between community syringe exchange programs (SEPs) and substance abuse treatment could benefit syringe exchangers and the public health. Kidorf et al. (2009) showed that motivational approaches employed at an SEP site improved rates of treatment enrollment and reduced drug use over a 4-month observation window. The present study extends this report by evaluating rates of treatment enrollment and re-enrollment over a 12-month period.


METHODS
Opioid dependent individuals (n = 281) newly registered at an SEP were randomly assigned to one of three referral interventions: (1) 8 individual motivational enhancement sessions and 16 treatment readiness group sessions designed to improve treatment interest and readiness (motivated referral condition; MRC-only); (2) MRC-only with monetary incentives for attending sessions and enrolling in treatment (MRC+I); or (3) standard referral (SRC). MRC-only and MRC+I participants discharged from treatment could attend a treatment re-engagement group designed to facilitate return to treatment (MRC+I participants received incentives for attending sessions and re-enrolling in treatment).


RESULTS
The 4-month outcomes generally extended over 12 months. MRC+I participants were more likely to enroll in methadone maintenance than MRC-only or SRC participants, and to re-enroll in treatment following discharge. MRC+I participants also reported more days of treatment and less heroin and injection use.


CONCLUSIONS
The good harm reduction outcomes for many SEP participants can be enhanced through strategies designed to facilitate treatment enrollment and re-enrollment.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Addiction Treatment Services - BBRC, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Suite 1500, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States. mkidorf@jhmi.edu
Michael
M
Kidorf
Van L
VL
King
Neeraj
N
Gandotra
Ken
K
Kolodner
Robert K
RK
Brooner
D000328:Adult; D055030:Drug Users / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013594:Syringes; D016896:Treatment Outcome