Open AccessChanging attitudes and beliefs of staff working in methadone maintenance programs
Author(s) -
Caplehorn John R.M.,
Lumley Thomas S.,
Irwig Les,
Saunders John B.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-842x.1998.tb01422.x
Subject(s) - methadone maintenance , methadone , psychology , medicine , family medicine , nursing , psychiatry
Starting in 1989, an attempt was made to change the aim of methadone treatment in NSW from abstinence to harm‐minimisation. A study was undertaken to measure change in attitudes among staff working in public methadone programs in Sydney. Using scales developed in a 1989 survey, we found a statistically significant and meaningful reduction in support for abstinence‐oriented policies had occurred by 1992. There was no change in staff?s support for the punishment of illicit drug use or their knowledge of the risks and benefits of methadone maintenance. This suggests problems with staff attitudes and, indirectly, the effectiveness of public health interventions, can be addressed using educational campaigns.