Need for medical and psychosocial services among injection drug users: a comparative study of needle exchange and methadone maintenance.
Document Type
Article, Non peer-reviewed
Publication Date
2-14-2003
Abstract
This study compares the prevalence of perceived and unmet needs of HIV-negative injection drug users (IDUs) not receiving drug treatment (n = 251) and those recruited from a methadone maintenance program (n = 312) in 1998. We studied self-reported needs for six community services: medical, mental health, housing, income assistance, alcohol treatment, and drug treatment. Respondents reported the highest levels of need for mental health and housing services. Ninety-four percent of out-of-treatment IDUs reported having at least one need compared to 62% of methadone clients (p < .001). Across all reported service needs, at least 69% of respondents in both cohorts reported their needs were unmet. While HIV-infected drug users receive assistance through the Ryan White CARE Act, these findings suggest that seronegative drug users may benefit from similar community service programs.
Recommended Citation
Stein, Michael D. and Friedmann, Peter, "Need for medical and psychosocial services among injection drug users: a comparative study of needle exchange and methadone maintenance." (2003). All Scholarly Works. 8480.
https://scholarlycommons.libraryinfo.bhs.org/all_works/8480
PMID
12584869