title: An observation of lower rates of drug use over time in community syringe exchangers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study evaluated changes in rates of self-reported heroin and cocaine use in opioid-dependent individuals newly registered to a syringe exchange program (SEP), and examined the effects of recovery-oriented longitudinal variables (i.e., substance abuse treatment, self-help group participation, employment) on changes in drug use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study participants (n = 240) were opioid-dependent and drawn from a larger study evaluating strategies to improve treatment-seeking. Mixed model analyses were used to evaluate changes in rates of heroin and cocaine use, and longitudinal correlates of change in these substances, over a one-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed reductions in days of heroin and cocaine use over time, and that participation in recovery-oriented activities was strongly associated with greater changes in drug use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest SEPs can play a vital role in facilitating reductions in drug use through motivating participation in treatment and other recovery-oriented activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. mkidorf@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kidorf
authors.forename: Van L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peirce
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kolodner
authors.forename: Robert K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Brooner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057566:Self Report; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000534:rehabilitation*