15th International AIDS Conference Bangkok, Thailand — July 11-July 16, 2004

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16;15:Abstract No. LbOrC17

Z Wu¹, J Li², National Methadone Working Group^3
1China CDC, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Beijing, China; ²Yunnan Institute of Drug Abuse, Kunming, China; ³China

BACKGROUND: The first 8 government clinics for methadone maintenance opened in China from March to May of 2004. We describe the operation of the clinics.

METHODS: At both central and provincial levels, methadone specific working groups were set up by officials from sectors of health, policeman, and food and drug administration and experts from technical institutes for planning, approving and monitoring methadone maintenance programs. Methadone is supplied free by central government. Local health sector is responsible for operating clinics, police sector for verifying qualification of drug users for treatment and for security and local food and drug administration for monitoring methadone formulation, storage and transportation.

RESULTS: The first 2 clinics were operated in Sichuan in March 23, 2004. In Leshan Clinic, up to May 5, 145 were qualified but only 103 recruited into treatment. Among them, 95% are injecting drug users, 79.6% are male, and 23.3% are HIV infected. In Xichang Clinic, 150 were recruited from March 23 to May 7. Among them, 67.3% were male, aged from 20 to 40. The 3rd clinic in Yunnan was opened in April 14. Up to May 7, 61 drug users were recruited, 85% are male, aged from 22 to 40, and 4 are HIV positive. Other 5 clinics were opened from May 20 to May 25 in Guizhou, Zhejiang and Guangxi. Family members of drug users are supportive to their participation of maintenance treatment.

CONCLUSION: The 1st 8 clinics for methadone maintenance in mainland China have demonstrated its feasibility in operation in both metropolitan areas and rural counties. Programs are appreciated by drug users and their family members. Close cooperation among governmental sectors of health, police, and food and drug administration is a key for setting up and implementing maintenance programs.

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