THE EFFECTIVENESS OF METHADONE THERAPY IN REDUCING CRIMINOGENIC ACTS IN HEROIN ADDICTS
Journal
KNOWLEDGE – International Journal
Date Issued
2024-10-07
Author(s)
Janichevikj Ivanovska, Danijela
Abstract
Abstract: Heroin addiction is a widespread disease and represents a significant medical as well as social problem. It is known that the use of heroin, in addition to health problems (somatic and mental), also leads to the occurrence of criminal acts. According to certain studies, adequate methadone therapy as part of substitution therapy leads to a reduction in the use of heroin among heroin addicts, that is, it enables their stabilization and thus to a reduction in criminal acts. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of methadone therapy in the treatment of heroin
addicts in terms of reducing heroin use and criminal acts. MATERIJLS AND METHODS: The prospective study included groups of male patients on methadone therapy (N=30) between 20-51 years evaluated in Day hospital of heroin addicts-department of Psychiatric Hospital Skopje with Dg F11.22. The study was conducted for 3 years. All participants gave written consent. The patients were assess using sociodemographic information by semi-structured questionnaire specially designed for the study. The sociodemographic data was: marital status, education status,
employment and criminal activities .The frequency of use of heroin was determined through anamnesis, hetero anamnesis, somatic examination (intravenous examination) as well as through screening of urine for the presence of heroin. The results of this study were analyzed using descriptive methods, and the Chi-square test. The quantitative data was expressed in number and percentage. The p value of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The obtained results indicated that there is a significant statistical difference in heroin abuse before treatment and after 3 years of treatment with methadone therapy (р=0.01). Also in our study we got that the level of education (p=0,003), marital status (p=0, 02); employment (p=0, 03) and criminal activities (p=0,04) were statistical significantly higher in patients before methadone therapy Conclusion: The results obtained in our study indicated the effectiveness of methadone therapy in reducing heroin use as well as in reducing criminal activities through the stabilization of heroin addicts.
addicts in terms of reducing heroin use and criminal acts. MATERIJLS AND METHODS: The prospective study included groups of male patients on methadone therapy (N=30) between 20-51 years evaluated in Day hospital of heroin addicts-department of Psychiatric Hospital Skopje with Dg F11.22. The study was conducted for 3 years. All participants gave written consent. The patients were assess using sociodemographic information by semi-structured questionnaire specially designed for the study. The sociodemographic data was: marital status, education status,
employment and criminal activities .The frequency of use of heroin was determined through anamnesis, hetero anamnesis, somatic examination (intravenous examination) as well as through screening of urine for the presence of heroin. The results of this study were analyzed using descriptive methods, and the Chi-square test. The quantitative data was expressed in number and percentage. The p value of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The obtained results indicated that there is a significant statistical difference in heroin abuse before treatment and after 3 years of treatment with methadone therapy (р=0.01). Also in our study we got that the level of education (p=0,003), marital status (p=0, 02); employment (p=0, 03) and criminal activities (p=0,04) were statistical significantly higher in patients before methadone therapy Conclusion: The results obtained in our study indicated the effectiveness of methadone therapy in reducing heroin use as well as in reducing criminal activities through the stabilization of heroin addicts.
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