Coupons attract high-risk untreated heroin users into detoxification

Abstract

This study examined the degree that the distribution of coupons brought drug users at risk of HIV infection into outpatient detoxification treatment. Demographic characteristics and outcome indicators were compared for patients recruited through coupon redemption (n = 238) versus other referral channels (n = 1129). Significantly more coupon subjects had no previous drug treatment, compared with non-coupon subjects (28% vs. 13%), had shared needles in the previous 30 days (39% vs. 31%) and more were ethnic minorities and men. Length of treatment stay and program completion rates did not differ between the groups. Within a year of the coupon project's end 43% of coupon subjects returned to the treatment program. Results suggest untreated heroin users will utilize drug treatment if more is available.