Baltimore Needle Exchange Program
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
The Baltimore Needle Exchange Program (NEP) instituted an experimental case manager intervention program in order to increase the likelihood that intravenous drug users (IDUs) referred to city sponsored substance abuse programs at NEP sites would attend their treatment intake appointments. IDUs referred to substance abuse programs were split into two groups, one who received a referral slip with a time/location for its intake appointment and another that received at least 30 minutes of case management from a trained case manager. Both groups received a base line interview directly following their referral. A successful referral consisted of an IDU arriving at their intake appointment within seven days of receiving their baseline interview. The managers implemented a four-step program to assist the IDUs in reaching their intake appointment: (1) engagement, (2) strength assessment, (3) case planning, and (4) resource acquisition. The National Institute on Drug Abuse funded the program.
Goal / Mission
The goal of the Baltimore Needle Exchange Program is to reduce HIV, hepatitis, and other infections by reducing the use of unclean needles and to help individuals overcome substance abuse by connecting them to harm reduction services and drug treatment programs. The experimental case manager intervention program at the Baltimore NEP looked to increase the percentage of intravenous drug users who enrolled in city sponsored substance abuse programs following referral at the Baltimore NEP sites.
Impact
The intervention program through Baltimore NEP was effective in increasing entry of intravenous drug users into drug drug treatment programs and highlights the need for more accessible treatment programs and harm-reduction services, such as mobile treatment facilities.
Results / Accomplishments
Recruited from the Baltimore NEP, 245 intravenous drug users (IDUs) participated in the randomized, controlled trial. The case managers provided counseling as well as help with transportation, social services, medical care, housing and employment. The case managed IDUs were significantly more likely to enter treatment than the control IDUs (p=.03). IDUs who received 30 or more minutes of managed care or had two or more contacts with their case manager within seven days of their baseline interview were more likely to arrive for their intake appointment. In addition, while controlling for the amount of time each case manager devoted to an IDU, case managed IDUs were over three times more likely to arrive at their intake appointment if the case manager drove them than if they did not drive them (p=.03).
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Baltimore City Health Department
Topics
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Health / Prevention & Safety
Health / Health Care Access & Quality
Health / Prevention & Safety
Health / Health Care Access & Quality
Organization(s)
Baltimore City Health Department
Date of publication
2006
Date of implementation
2004
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Baltimore, MD
For more details
Target Audience
Women, Men, Racial/Ethnic Minorities