Evaluation on Current Working Status of Methadone Maintenance Treatment Project

Objective To evaluate the current working condition of methadone maintenance treatment(MMT) project,and to explore a better management model. Methods Forty-seven MMT clinics opened over 1 year were investigated.A questionnaire,including general information of clinic,staff composition,follow-up intervention,revenue and cost,coordination of multi-sectors,was used in this survey. Results Of 47 clinics,68.1% were attached to CDC.78.7% did not finish the national indicators of the number and maintenance rate of outpatients.53.2% clinics lost,and 44.7% provided the psychological counseling service.59.6% cooperated well with police.21.3% did not hold coordination meeting in 2008.Totally 392 staff members were interviewed,among them,82.1% did not have the experience of drug treatment and 54.1% did not attend any training courses.The indicators of clinics of CDCs were poor. Conclusions There are many challenges still to be overcome in MMT project.Relying on government support and coordination of multi-sectors,developing comprehensive intervention services,and strengthening the effective training are very important to promote MMT project.