Comparing Opiate Users in Methadone Treatment with Untreated Opiate Users: Results of a Follow-up Study with a Toronto Opiate User Cohort

Untreated opiate use is correlated with major social harms and costs in Canada. While methadone treatment has existed in Canada since the 1960s, there is little specific Canadian research on its effects. This paper reports on the one-year follow-up results of a Toronto cohort study of opiate users (N=114) who were not in treatment at baseline. Sixty-nine people were recruited for re-interviewing. A number of these individuals (N=29) had entered methadone treatment during the year between baseline and follow-up interviews. Comparisons with respect to social functioning, health status and health care utilization, drug use and related risks, and criminal justice system involvement were made between the follow-up subsample who remained untreated, and the subjects who entered methadone treatment. Differences were found with respect to illegal income generation, illicit opiate and other drug use, illicit drug market activities and emergency care and aspects of socio-economic integration, but no major effects on health and criminal justice status could be shown. Research and policy implications are discussed.