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Published on: January 22, 2016
Reduction in crime by drug users on a methadone maintenance therapy programme in New Zealand
Ian Sheerin1, Terri Green, Douglas Sellman
1Department of Public Health and General Practice, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Christchurch, New Zealand. ian.sheerin@chmeds.ac.nz
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.
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