Table 1 The 13-item scale measuring attitudes towards opioid maintenance treatment*
1 | OMT patients who ignore repeated warnings to stop using heroin should be gradually withdrawn off methadone |
2 | OMT patients who continue to abuse non-opioid drugs (e.g. benzodiazepines) should have their dose of OMT medication reduced. |
3 | If repeated warnings of non-prescriptive use of benzodiazepines are ignored, the patient should be discharged from the OMT programme |
4 | If repeated warnings of use of Cannabis are ignored, the patient should be discharged from treatment (OMT) |
5 | The GP should waive the right to prescribe class A and B drugs other than the OMT medication to OMT patients |
6 | OMT patients who continue to take drugs and function poorly should be discharged from the OMT programme |
7 | It is unethical to discharge patients from the OMT programme due to continuing drug use and poor functioning** |
8 | OMT services should be expanded so all heroin addicts who want OMT can receive it** |
9 | It is unethical to deny heroin addicts OMT** |
10 | OMT's main aim is to reduce harmful effects of opioids and IV drug use (syringes)** |
11 | GPs should be able to initiate OMT on their own initiative** |
12 | Too many OMT-patients are discharged from the OMT programme** |
13 | Young opioid dependents (< 20) should not be offered OMT |