title: Decrease in self-reported offences and incarceration rates during methadone treatment: A comparison between patients switching from buprenorphine to methadone and maintenance treatment incident users (ANRS-Methaville trial).
abstract: Patients receiving buprenorphine who are poor responders can continue to commit drug-related offences. Switching them from buprenorphine to methadone may result in reduced criminal behaviour. We compared self-reported offences and incarceration before and after starting methadone treatment of patients switching from buprenorphine (PSB) and maintenance treatment incident users (MIU).
  
  
  
  Data on offences, incarceration and other information, were obtained via a telephone interview. Mixed models were used to assess the impact of methadone initiation and being PSB or MIU on (1) the number of days when offences were committed (drug sale, drug purchase, other offences) and (2) experiencing incarceration during the previous 6 months.
  
  
  
  Among the 176 patients with at least one assessment for self-reported offences, 51.7% were PSB. Receiving methadone was significantly associated with a reduction in the number of days when drug sale or drug purchase offences were committed, but not other offences. PSB and MIU groups were different only for drug purchase, as PSB were more likely to have a higher number of days of drug purchase from month 3 onwards. A reduction of 77% in the likelihood of experiencing incarceration was observed and this was comparable in PSB and MIU.
  
  
  
  Switching non-responding buprenorphine patients to methadone can result in a major reduction in offences and incarceration rates. Increasing access to methadone, using more flexible models of care is urgent for clinical and public health reasons.
authors: INSERM U912 (SESSTIM), Marseille, France; Université Aix Marseille, IRD, UMR-S912, Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Carrieri
authors: INSERM U912 (SESSTIM), Marseille, France; Université Aix Marseille, IRD, UMR-S912, Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.
authors: Antoine
authors: A
authors: Vilotitch
authors: INSERM U912 (SESSTIM), Marseille, France; Université Aix Marseille, IRD, UMR-S912, Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Nordmann
authors: INSERM U912 (SESSTIM), Marseille, France; Université Aix Marseille, IRD, UMR-S912, Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Lions
authors: INSERM, Research Unit 669, Paris, France; Université Paris-Sud and Université Paris Descartes, UMR-S0669, Paris, France; Centre Pierre Nicole, Paris, France.
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Michel
authors: INSERM U912 (SESSTIM), Marseille, France; Université Aix Marseille, IRD, UMR-S912, Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.
authors: Marion
authors: M
authors: Mora
authors: Oppelia, Paris, France.
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Morel
authors: ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.
authors: Gwenaelle
authors: G
authors: Maradan
authors: INSERM U912 (SESSTIM), Marseille, France; Université Aix Marseille, IRD, UMR-S912, Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Spire
authors: INSERM U912 (SESSTIM), Marseille, France; Université Aix Marseille, IRD, UMR-S912, Marseille, France; ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France. Electronic address: perrine.roux@inserm.fr.
authors: Perrine
authors: P
authors: Roux
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D064423:Drug Trafficking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057566:Self Report; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002047:Buprenorphine; D008691:Methadone
keywords: Buprenorphine; Longitudinal studies; Methadone; Opioid substitution treatment; Prison; Self-reported offences