Table 3 Frequencies of Responses to Questions on Methadone Treatment

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