Relationship between Methadone Maintenance Therapy and Frequency of Drug-Related Crimes in Golestan Province

In recent years, drug therapies have played an increasing role in management of drug-related crimes due to decrease in efficacy of other anti-crime methods. This study investigated the relationship between methadone maintenance therapy and frequency of drug-related crimes.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 420 patients attending private addiction treatment centers who received agonist therapy in Kurdkuy and Gorgan in Golestan province, Iran. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics and items on history of drug abuse, history of crimes, domestic violence and conflicts, divorce and remarriage, and work and employment. The questionnaires were completed at admission time and six months after initiation of methadone treatment through face to face interviews. Data analysis was done in SPSS V23.

The majority of patients were married (88%), had low educational levels (75%) and were Persian (88%). The most commonly used narcotic drug was opium used oral or inhaled. There was a significant inverse relationship between methadone maintenance treatment and cases of crime and domestic violence and a significant direct relationship between the treatment and cases of divorce or remarriage, and work and employment before and after treatment (P<0.05).

Methadone maintenance treatment showed a significant effect on reducing social crime and domestic violence. Further researches are suggested to study other associated factors in larger number of patients while considering other variables such as improvement of behavioral disorders and related diseases in long-time follow-up investigations.