Cost-effectiveness of follow-up contact for a postal survey: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: This study examines the effectiveness and costs of follow-up phone calls in improving response rates to a community survey.

Methods: Non-responders to a postal survey were randomly allocated to receive a phone call or no phone call. The resources used for the development and implementation of the survey were documented.

The effects of restricting publicly subsidised temazepam capsules on benzodiazepine use among injecting drug users in Australia.

Objective: To assess the effect of a restriction on publicly subsidised temazepam 10 mg capsules upon the injection of benzodiazepines by injecting drug users (IDUs).

Design And Participants: Cross-sectional study of regular IDUs targeting periods before and after the policy change. Analysis of prescription data, including time-series analysis.

Cessation of methadone maintenance treatment using buprenorphine: transfer from methadone to buprenorphine and subsequent buprenorphine reductions.

Background: Buprenorphine is used in the treatment of opioid dependence. Due to its pharmacology, the transfer from methadone to buprenorphine may precipitate withdrawal symptoms.

Methods: Methadone maintained patients with clinical indicators of stability who were seeking withdrawal from methadone were recruited from three Australian states.