Experiences and satisfaction with methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) health services: views from a small Ontario city

Addiction to opiates is a complex public health issue affecting thousands of Canadians. Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) is considered the gold standard in Canada, and the world, for treating opiate dependence. In the past, Canadian research into opiate addiction and the effectiveness of MMT has mostly focused on larger cities: Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. This community based research study employed a mixed method approach to gain understanding of the experiences and satisfaction with MMT and other health services available to opiate users in Belleville, Ontario (population 48,000). Surveys (N = 53), focus groups, participant-observation methods and key informant interviews were used to gather data. The results provide an overall picture of the quality of life for opiate users and MMT clients, the quality of care clients receive, and the perceptions of community members regarding MMT. Challenges related to smaller locales are identified along with recommendations for improving MMT health services.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Health Sciences (MHSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Health Sciences

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Taylor, Lorri

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Weaver, Robert
• Byrne, Carolyn
• Grant, Judith

• Methadone
• Methadone maintenance treatment
• Opiate addiction
• Harm reduction

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/156

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/156