Pubdate: Thu, 05 Dec 2002
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2002 The Baltimore Sun, a Times Mirror Newspaper.
Contact:  http://www.sunspot.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Jonathan Bor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

HEROIN ADDICTS' INFECTION RATE HIGH

Nearly half of heroin addicts in Baltimore's drug treatment programs are 
unaware that they suffer from chronic blood infections such as HIV and 
hepatitis, according to a study by the Johns Hopkins School of Public 
Health. Despite the disturbing picture of health problems associated with 
addiction, the researchers said the city has an excellent chance to reduce 
the toll through its methadone maintenance centers. Officials with the Open 
Society Institute, the foundation that paid for the study, said the 
methadone centers should screen clients for blood-borne infections and 
refer those who need care to clinics.

"You want to break down the barriers between drug treatment and the health 
care system," said Dr. Robert Schwartz, an addictions specialist with OSI.

Researchers found that nearly two out of three addicts were infected with 
hepatitis C, a chronic infection that can eventually trigger liver failure 
and cancer. Only one-third of those infected knew it. Meanwhile, one in 
five addicts were infected with HIV. Eighty percent were aware they were 
infected, presumably because HIV testing is widely available and encouraged 
by public health campaigns. Only 3 percent were infected with syphilis. 
Researchers credited the city Health Department's campaign in the mid-1990s 
with curbing what was then a serious syphilis epidemic.

In the two-year study, OSI paid for case managers at the clinics who 
referred infected addicts for medical care. About 2,000 addicts were 
vaccinated against hepatitis B.

The researchers and OSI recommended that the treatment centers offer free 
testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C, using state laboratory 
services. They also urged treatment centers to seek federal funding for 
hepatitis B vaccines. The clinics should refer patients to federally funded 
community health centers and the city clinics that treat STDs, the study 
said. An unanswered question, however, is how to pay for the services - 
particularly hepatitis C treatment, which can cost as much as $35,000. 
Federal funding is fragmented and scarce.
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MAP posted-by: Beth