Public Health - Publications
Reduction in crime by drug users on a methadone maintenance
therapy programme in New Zealand.
Ian Sheerin, Terri Green, Douglas Sellman, Simon Adamson, and Daryle
Deering
New Zealand Medical Journal 117 (1190) 492-501, 2004.
Abstract:
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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