NCJ Number
15684
Date Published
Unknown
Length
34 pages
Annotation
THE FINAL EVALUATION REPORT ON A METHADONE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM IN PHILADELPHIA.
Abstract
EVALUATION ACTITIVIES UPON WHICH THIS REPORT IS BASED INCLUDE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN EVALUATION DESIGN STRESSING OUTCOME MEASURES, INTERVIEWS WITH PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF, INTERVIEWS WITH PATIENTS, EXAMINATION OF PATIENT RECORDS, THE ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM STAFF, SITE VISITS, AND ONGOING CONTACT (TELEPHONE) WITH THE PROGRAM'S ADMINISTRATOR. THE STUDY REVEALS POSITIVE URINALYSIS RESULTS IN ONE THIRD OF THE PATIENTS ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE TIME. HOWEVER, SPORADIC HEROIN USE IS DEEMED TO BE SYMPTOMATIC OF PATIENTS DIFFICULTIES IN ADJUSTING TO THE PROGRAM AND TO STRESSFUL PERIODS IN THE PATIENT'S LIFE, AND PROVIDES COUNSELORS WITH EVIDENCE THAT THE PATIENT IS IN NEED OF INTENSIVE COUNSELING AND A REORIENTATION TO REALISTIC TREATMENT GOALS. A CATEGORY OF 'RESIDUAL' PATIENTS (USUALLY OVER 30 YEARS OLD) HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS REQUIRING SPECIAL TREATMENT PROCEDURES. FOR A CLINICAL EVALUATION OF THIS PROJECT, PLEASE REFER TO NCJ-15685.