PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R G Newman

Publications and source records attributed to R G Newman.

80 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Methadone treatment: experiment and experience.

The relationship between public policy and scientific investigation is explored by a review of the experience with methadone maintenance treatment for narcotic addiction. The implementation of a widespread treatment effort in Hong Kong in the 1970s is contrasted with recent policies in regard to methadone treatment expansion in the United States. In neither case did research findings form the basis for public policy. In Hong Kong, rapid expansion of methadone treatment was initiated before scientific evidence was available to support this course, and in the United States treatment expansion has been rejected despite extensive evidence of its utility and safety. Decisions by government officials and health care providers, as in the case of addiction treatment, may be influenced more by philosophy and intuition than by scientific evidence. Scientists must recognize and address this reality if they are to play a meaningful role in shaping public health policy.

Health Policy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Retention of patients who entered methadone maintenance via an interim methadone clinic.

Time in treatment is considered an important predictor of good outcomes for drug abuse treatment. Patient retention would be of particular concern for low-service types of treatment. Interim methadone maintenance was developed as an alternative to waiting lists and as a method of providing HIV risk-reduction services to heroin addicts waiting for treatment, and does not include the regular counseling required in comprehensive methadone treatment. This analysis compares the retention of patients first admitted to an interim methadone clinic versus that of patients admitted directly to a comprehensive methadone clinic. The two groups did not differ with regard to demographic characteristics and drug of abuse at the time of admission. The two groups did not differ with respect to demographics. The three-, six-, and 12-month retention rates of patients first admitted to the interim clinic were 78%, 69%, and 62%, respectively. The three-, six-, and 12-month retention rates for patients admitted directly to a traditional methadone clinic were 84%, 76%, and 68%, respectively. Life-table analysis revealed that the two groups did not differ significantly with regard to retention (p = 0.17). Interim treatment does not appear to adversely affect overall retention in treatment. Three- and six-month retention rates of interim clinic patients fall within the range of six-month nationwide retention rates reported by the GAO. Factors associated with discharge from treatment are examined for both groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reporting history to an addict registry before and after admission to methadone treatment in Hong Kong.

The likelihood of being reported to an addict registry before and after admission to a methadone treatment program in Hong Kong was determined for all 1,908 patients who enrolled during May and June 1978. In the 6 months before enrollment, two out of every five patients had contact with at least one reporting source, and 10% of all patients had contact with a criminal justice system agency. Cohorts grouped according to retention in treatment did not differ with respect to preadmission reporting experience. Following enrollment, however, these cohorts demonstrated a very strong association between continued treatment and a decreased likelihood of contact with a reporting source: 13% of continuously active patients were reported during the 6 months after enrollment, compared to 68% of those who dropped out of treatment within 2 months; the corresponding reporting history from criminal justice system agencies was 6 and 23%, respectively. The association between retention and decreased contact with reporting agencies was observed for each age group studied. Following discharge, the cumulative likelihood of being reported rapidly approached that of patients leaving treatment earlier.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Planning drug abuse treatment: critical decisions.

This paper identifies and discusses certain key issues which must be recognized and resolved as part of the process of planning drug abuse treatment efforts. It is emphasized that the approach which is ultimately adopted must be tailored to the specific needs which prevail in a particular locale, at a particular time. It is urged that the addict population be viewed as the most significant of all critics in assessing the appropriateness of the therapeutic services which are provided.

Decision Making↗