Effective Evaluation on Parts of Community-based Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clinics for Heroin Addicts in Xinjiang

Objective To assess the effectiveness of community-based methadone maintenance treatment(MMT) clinics for heroin addicts(run for 12 months) in drug-related harm reduction and HIV/AIDS prevention and control.Methods Based on the evaluation plan on MMT,a baseline survey among heroin addicts participated in 12 MMT clinics were conducted at the beginning of the clinics,and the surveys of the HIV/AIDS related high-risk behaviors,criminal behaviors,functions in society and family and infective situation of relevant diseases among the heroin addicts were carried out respectively in the third months of 3 clinics and 12 months of 2 clinics.The effectiveness of MMT was assessed through comparing the results of the surveys.Results Times of illegal drug use and needle sharing behavior among the clients of MMT clinics reduced markedly;clients' condom use rate increased to some extent;contact with past illegal drug use group reduced to a large degree;relationships with family members and employment status improved;accordingly,the risk for HIV infection among the clients reduced obviously.Conclusions MMT not only reduces heroin use,injecting drug use and needle sharing and HIV spread,but also plays a positive role in reducing drug-related crimes and improving client's social function and life quality.MMT is an effective measure for harm reduction and HIV/AIDS prevention and control,and therefore the measure should be expanded on a large scale.