Table 3

Frequencies of Responses to Questions on Methadone Treatment
Item
 N
 %
Agencies that have it (n = 40)
 4
 10.0
Agencies that have considered it (n = 40)
 16
 44.0



Considered, but not implemented because (n = 21 respondents)

     Little/no perceived need
 6
 28.6
     unavailability of a physician willing/able to dispense it
 9
 42.9
     anticipated negative reaction from clientele
 1
 4.8
     Lack of facilities
 1
 4.8
     Lack of funding
 2
 9.5
     prospect of setting up program too daunting
 2
 9.5
     presently being considered
 3
 14.3
     Other
 4
 19.0



Agencies that do not have a methadone program (n = 62 respondents)

Intra-agency obstacles

     Little/no perceived need
 17
 27.4
     unavailability of a physician willing/able to dispense it
 20
 32.3
     Lack of facilities
 2
 3.2
     Lack of funding
 7
 11.3
     not a medical facility/outside agency's mandate
 7
 11.3
     anticipated resistance from the staff
 7
 11.3
     May be some resistance from the Board
 5
 8.1
     Don't know
 2
 3.2
     Other
 17
 27.4
     None
 4
 6.5
     Lack of staff
 11
 17.7



Extra-agency obstacles

     None
 12
 19.4
     community resistance
 37
 59.7
     resistance from other agencies
 2
 3.2
     service already provided locally
 2
 3.2
     Don't know
 4
 6.5
     Other
 11
 17.7



Expected benefits

     None
 3
 4.8
     improved health/disease reduction
 21
 33.9
     enables clients to be more productive
 10
 16.1
     decreased criminal activity
 16
 25.8
     gives drug users access to counseling
 8
 12.9
     enables addicts to get off heroin
 18
 29.0
     Don't know
 4
 6.5
     Other
 18
 29.0



For agencies who offer methadone (n = 5 respondents)

Reasons for introducing it.




     perceived need
 2
 40.0
     urged to do so by the Ministry of Health/other agencies
 1
 20.0
     Other
 3
 60.0



Resistance encountered

     None
 2
 40.0
     From the staff
 2
 40.0
     From the community
 2
 40.0



How was it dealt with?

     through education/information
 2
 40.0

Hobden and Cunningham Harm Reduction Journal 2006 3:35   doi:10.1186/1477-7517-3-35

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