Driving Records of Methadone Maintenance Patients in New York State

Abstract

The driving records of methadone maintenance patients are examined for two main interrelated reasons: first, methadone maintenance is growing in use as a treatment modality for heroin addicts and acceptance of such patients into the mainstream of life is partially dependent upon the public's awareness of their ability to function normally and safely while medicated; and second, a key factor in employability, and hence, continuing rehabilitative improvement for many such patients, lies in obtaining a driver's license and automobile insurance. More than 1,500 patients admitted to the methadone maintenance program initiated by Drs. Dole and Nyswander were matched against the 11 million records in the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles files. The search, on an exact match basis, produced 448 patients with driving records. A sample of New York City regular male drivers in the same period (182 cases) was also drawn for comparison purposes. When a comparison was made within specific age groups, it was learned that the accident and conviction rates were about the same for methadone maintenance clients as for a sample of New York City male drivers within the same period. In addition, the clients' accident and conviction records were no more serious than the sample of regular drivers. The findings from this study are consistent with those from other related studies, which are discussed. This suggests that methadone maintenance clients should at least be given serious consideration in their efforts to obtain a driver's license or automobile insurance as they strive to support themselves.