AIM: The study aimed to estimate changes in drug use, crime, imprisonment and societal costs among a sample of Maori and non-Maori injecting drug users (IDUs) on a methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) programme in Christchurch, New Zealand. METHODS: Fifty-one non-Maori and 34 Maori IDUs were interviewed to obtain a self-reported history of drug use, crime, imprisonment, and effects on personal health. Information was obtained on drug use and crime before starting MMT and also after stabilisation on MMT. Follow-up interviews were conducted 18 months (mean) after the first interview. RESULTS: Considerable reductions in the frequency of crime occurred--with 60% of participants reporting they committed crimes every day before MMT, compared with only 1% at interview. Large reductions were reported in both expenditure on illicit drugs and income from illegal activities. Reductions in opioid use and crime were similar for both Maori and non-Maori. A significant minority of participants reported continuing some form of crime while on MMT; 29% reported committing at least one offence during the week prior to interview. CONCLUSIONS: MMT is associated with a large reduction in the costs of crime and imprisonment among IDUs. This reduction in crime is similar for both Maori and non-Maori.
AIM: The study aimed to estimate changes in drug use, crime, imprisonment and societal costs among a sample of Maori and non-Maori injecting drug users (IDUs) on a methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) programme in Christchurch, New Zealand. METHODS: Fifty-one non-Maori and 34 Maori IDUs were interviewed to obtain a self-reported history of drug use, crime, imprisonment, and effects on personal health. Information was obtained on drug use and crime before starting MMT and also after stabilisation on MMT. Follow-up interviews were conducted 18 months (mean) after the first interview. RESULTS: Considerable reductions in the frequency of crime occurred--with 60% of participants reporting they committed crimes every day before MMT, compared with only 1% at interview. Large reductions were reported in both expenditure on illicit drugs and income from illegal activities. Reductions in opioid use and crime were similar for both Maori and non-Maori. A significant minority of participants reported continuing some form of crime while on MMT; 29% reported committing at least one offence during the week prior to interview. CONCLUSIONS:MMT is associated with a large reduction in the costs of crime and imprisonment among IDUs. This reduction in crime is similar for both Maori and non-Maori.
Authors: Nickolas D Zaller; Alexander R Bazazi; Lavinia Velazquez; Josiah D Rich Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2009-02-23 Impact factor: 3.390