Correlates of illicit methadone use in New York City: A cross-sectional study

Danielle C Ompad,Victoria Frye,Christina A Chan,Crystal M Fuller,Sandro Galea,David Vlahov

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-8-375

Danielle C Ompad, Victoria Frye + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-8-375

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Abstract

BackgroundDespite growing concern about illicit methadone use in the US and other countries, there is little data about the prevalence and correlates of methadone use in large urban areas. We assessed the prevalence and examined correlates of lifetime and recent illicit methadone use in New York City (NYC).Methods1,415 heroin, crack, and cocaine users aged 15–40 years were recruited in NYC between 2000 and 2004 to complete interviewer-administered questionnaires.ResultsIn multivariable logistic regression, non-injection drug users who used illicit methadone were more likely to be heroin dependent, less than daily methamphetamine users and to have a heroin using sex partner in the last two months. Injection drug users who used illicit methadone were more likely to use heroin daily, share injection paraphernalia and less likely to have been in a detoxification program and to have not used marijuana in the last six months.ConclusionThe results overall suggest that illicit (or street) methadone use is likely not a primary drug of choice, but is instead more common in concert with other illicit drug use.

Highlights

Despite growing concern about illicit methadone use in the US and other countries, there is little data about the prevalence and correlates of methadone use in large urban areas
non-injection drug users (NIDUs) illicit methadone users were more likely to have been in a detoxification program
Recent injection drug users (IDUs) illicit methadone users were significantly more likely than non users to be daily heroin users [Adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) (AOR) = 3.7] and to share cookers, cotton or rinse water (AOR = 1.6) and significantly less likely to have been in a detoxification program (AOR = 0.6) and to not have used marijuana in the last six months (AOR = 0.5)

Summary

Introduction

Despite growing concern about illicit methadone use in the US and other countries, there is little data about the prevalence and correlates of methadone use in large urban areas. We assessed the prevalence and examined correlates of lifetime and recent illicit methadone use in New York City (NYC). Methadone maintenance treatment programs (MMTP) have been shown to be effective for the management of opiate addiction, but remain controversial with respect to placement of clinics [1]. Among the many concerns of opponents of MMTPs, the diversion of methadone for illicit use is a key issue and has been described as "...perhaps the single greatest threat to the legitimate treatment of heroin addiction..." [3]. Methadone use is not restricted to the treatment of heroin dependence, but is used to manage pain

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