Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) has been shown to dramatically reduce illicit opioid use and criminal activity among injection drug users (IDU). However, questions remain concerning the effect of MMT in reducing rates of incarceration among IDU. We therefore sought to investigate the long-term effect of MMT on rates of incarceration.

METHODS:

We performed a generalized estimating equation longitudinal analysis of factors associated with incarceration among participants in the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS). We also recorded whether participants reported having difficulty accessing drug treatment during the study period.

RESULTS:

Among 1,247 active IDU, 624 (50.0%) reported being incarcerated at least once during the 6-year study period. In multivariate analysis, there was a strong negative association between methadone treatment and incarceration (adjusted odds ratio = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.54-0.76, p < 0.001) despite intensive covariate adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Given our findings concerning the strong negative association between MMT and incarceration, and the reported high-risk injection practices of incarcerated IDU, limiting the availability of MMT has the potential to further exacerbate the high levels of HIV transmission found among IDU who are in need of treatment both in their communities and in correctional facilities.

Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.