Criteria for Judging Methadone Maintenance Programs

Abstract

To Editor.— The US General Accounting Office (GAO) recently conducted a study of effectiveness of methadone maintenance treatment.1The study deserves more attention becauseit illustrates potential effectiveness of methadone treatment, nonmedical concerns that often limit its actual outcome, and difficulties in applying research data to regulatory policies. The study reviewed 5600 patients' records at 24 methadone treatment programs in eight states, and it provides an overview of current outcomes. The results are similar to those from previous, more rigorous studies of methadone treatment2-4that led National Institute on Drug Abuse to judge methadone maintenance the most effective method available for treating heroin addiction. 1(p11) The GAO found that every program achieved abstinence from heroin use in over 50% of patients in treatment for at least 6 months. However, applying a criterion that programsshouldreduce number of patients using