title: Harm Reduction Agencies as a Potential Site for Buprenorphine Treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Harm reduction agencies complement addiction treatment by providing diverse services that improve the health of people who use drugs. Buprenorphine maintenance treatment (BMT) is an effective opioid addiction treatment that may be provided from flexible settings, potentially including harm reduction agencies. This study investigated attitudes toward different potential sites for BMT (harm reduction agencies, general medical clinics, and drug treatment programs) among harm reduction clients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using computer-based interviews, participants indicated preferred potential site for BMT (harm reduction agency, drug treatment program, or general medical clinic), interest in BMT by potential site, motivation for treatment, and barriers to BMT. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with harm reduction agency preference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 102 opioid users, the most preferred potential site for BMT was a harm reduction agency (51%), whereas fewer preferred general medical clinics (13%), drug treatment programs (12%), or were not interested in BMT (25%). In multivariable analysis, experiencing ≥1 barrier to BMT was strongly associated with preferring harm reduction agencies (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-11.43).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The potential to initiate BMT at harm reduction agencies is highly favorable among harm reduction clients, especially among those experiencing barriers to BMT. Offering BMT at harm reduction agencies could improve access to treatment, but studies are needed to determine safety and efficacy of this approach.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Aaron D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chamberlain
authors.forename: Taeko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: Chinazo O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Cunningham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006307:Health Systems Agencies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002047:Buprenorphine
keywords: Access to care; buprenorphine; harm reduction agencies; opioid addiction
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