Participants (n = 1513) were recruited from public and private opioid pharmacotherapy clinics in the greater Sydney region between November 2005 and March 2008. At a minimum, patients receiving opioid replacement therapy (ORT) in New South Wales undergo an assessment for opioid dependence and a medical review including testing for blood borne viruses. In ORT clinics, recent drug use for a range of drug classes is assessed, and a mental state examination is undertaken. Each ORT recipient must be assigned a case manager. The provision of mental health services, however, differs across services. Some, but not all, ORT clinics are part of a larger drug and alcohol service with access to psychiatrists, counsellors, and psychologists. Some general practitioners in private practice also prescribe ORT and the provision of services is different again in this setting.
