Mission Methadone Buses
Drug users : approx. 200,000 injectors
Main conditions : HIV, VHB, VHC contamination amongst injectors, psychiatric co-morbidity, psychological suffering linked to exclusion
Number of projects : 2 methadone buses
Number of beneficiaries : active file: 767 in 2 towns
Number of contacts : an average of 100 contacts per day in Paris and 30 in Marseilles
Number of volunteers : 23
Sources of funding : CPAM (health insurance offices), local health authorities, Solidarité sida, Sidaction; MILDT (Interdepartmental committee on drugs and drug addiction), local and regional authorities
Partners : ASUD, TIPI, Aides Provence, Sleep'in, HAS, emergency accommodation hostels, other drug addiction treatment centres (CSST) in Marseilles and Paris (especially Fernand-Vidal and Marmottan), hospitals, treatment and post-treatment institutions, etc.
As methadone subsitution relieves withdrawal sensations, it reduces the risks linked to drug use, as well as helping the social and health reintegration of drug users, who are particularly vulnerable and often marginalised.
Local work on a daily basis
Activities :
The programmes are aimed at particularly marginalised users not covered by any other structure, and offer services at the level of need suited to the user's situation. A methadone dose is delivered daily to the patients on the programme. Patients are included from the day they request it, in the permanent centre after a medical interview. The programmes are aimed at treating opiate dependency by starting
and continuing methadone substitution treatment. The programme includes monitoring the most problematic users; the aim is to refer patients to other structures. The buses act as bridges towards more permanent treatment systems. They are parked close to places where drugs are taken and provide a place where people can be seen and referred for medical, psychological and social care.
Types of work :
Mobile healthcare unit manned 7 days a week.
Local mobile teams.
Reception in a permanent centre.
Outlook :
In Paris, the team has been involved in a think-tank with the help of a philosopher on innovative therapeutic practices which should lead to a written paper in 2006. In Marseille, the team has formed an RdR platform which offers, in connection with the methadone bus's services, several types of work adapted to the people encountered in squats, nightlife venues, during street work, etc by offering suitable tools.
These activities are run with operational partners (ASUD, TIPI, etc.). On the other hand, during 2006, the 2 methadone buses (as well as the NEPs) are going to leave MdM. The association GAIA Paris will take over running the Paris CSST (drug addiction centre) and the association BUS 31/32 will take over in Marseilles. These 2 associations have been set up especially for this purpose by the field teams and will continue to have strong links with MdM.
October 2006