Opioid Maintenance Treatment as a Harm Reduction Tool for Opioid-Dependent Individuals in New York City: The Need to Expand Access to Buprenorphine/Naloxone in Marginalized Populations

Abstract

The aim of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP/NX) among marginalized, opioid-dependent individuals in terms of retention in and cycling into and out of a harm-reduction program. This pilot study enrolled 100 participants and followed them from November 2005 to July 2008. The overall proportion of patients retained in the program at the end of 3, 6, 9, and 12 months was 68%, 63%, 56%, and 42%, respectively. This pilot study demonstrated that BUP/NX could be successfully used to treat marginalized heroin users.

KEYWORDS:

• Buprenorphine
• heroin
• harm reduction
• drug treatment
• opioid

Acknowledgments

The study was funded by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH); this study was approved by the IRB at the NYCDOHMH. Finally, we thank Ann Link for her editorial assistance in preparing the manuscript.