1. Ramli Musa 1, Ahmad Zafri Abu Bakar 2, Nora Mat Zin 1, Junid Mohamed Rozali 2. 1 Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. 2 Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, 25150, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia Drug abuse is increasingly prevalent in Malaysia and is a major burden to our society. Local statistics on drug abuse are alarming, especially its complication rates such as HIV infection, hepatitis, psychiatric comorbidities, psychosocial effects and criminal involvement. Many Malaysian drug users engage in needle sharing, unprotected sex and criminal activities, subsequently contracting HIV (23%) and hepatitis (96%). [1,2]. The Government of Malaysia was previously depending on forced detention of heroin dependants in rehabilitation centres (Pusat Serenti). Many rehabilitation centres were built since 1976 in response to the urgency and seriousness of the drug problems [3]. Due to high relapse rate among heroin dependants upon completion of the detention, the rehabilitation programme is viewed to be less effective in tackling the drug dependence [4]. Since 2005, the Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) has become the main arm for the government of Malaysia to combat substance problem. Previously MMT had been strongly debated by various parties about it effectiveness in fighting the chronic and enrooting problem of opiod dependence. Preliminary anecdotal data shows that the outcomes of MMT programme are more favourable [2, 5]. However more evidences are required to further analyze on how this programme could be further improve with ultimate aim to maximize the outcomes This paper will mainly to look at the effectiveness especially in the aspects of quality of life with 2-year follow up. The objectives of this study were to determine the outcome of QOL among heroin dependants after 2 years they were in MMT programme. Apart from QOL, we also looked at period of abstinence based on urine test for drugs and improvement in employment rate. The QOL was gauged by WHO Quality of Life questionnaire BREF. METHODOLOGY RESULTS REFERENCES 2-year Outcomes of Quality of Life among Heroin Dependants at Methadone Maintenance Therapy Clinic, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan. 1.Ramli Musa, Nora MZ, Ahmad Zafri AB, Junid MR, Umeed AK, Hajee MI.High-risk behaviours and concomitant medical illnesses among patients at Methadone Maintenance Therapy Clinic, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Malaysia. Malaysian Family Physician 2009; Volume 4, Number 2&3 ISSN: 1985-2074 (print), 1985-2274 www.ejournal.afpm.org.my/www.ejournal.afpm.org.my/ 2.Noor Zurani MHR, Hussain H, Rusdi AR, et al. Heroin addiction: the past and future. Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry. 2009;17(2):73-8. 3.Dr Abdul Rani Bin Kamarudin. Drug Dependants’ Treatments And Rehabilitation : From ‘Cold Turkey’ To ‘Hot Turkey’ Jurnal Antidadah Malaysia 2 2007;1(2); 193-226 4.Syed M. Haq (1990), Three Decades of Drugs Abuse on the Malaysian Scene, at pg 16, 22, 24 -25, Penerbit UKM: Bangi IMalaysia. SBN 967-942- 1990. Syarahan Perdana UKM. 5.Gong AWH, Ng CG, Amer SAN, et al. Quality of life assessment of opioid substance abusers on MMT in University Malaya Medical Centre. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry. 2009;10:1 OBJECTIVES The outcomes of this study further entrench the evidence that Methadone programme is giving positive outcomes in the aspects of QOL, employment and abstinence period. Hence MMT programme has made a quantum leap in the management of heroin dependence in Malaysia INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA INTRODUCTION This is a prospective study. The study was reviewed and fully approved by the internal review board of International Islamic University and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan ethics committees. Second administration of QOL BREF was done after 2 years the heroin dependants in the MMT programme. We also measured urine drugs (period of abstinence) & their employment rate. Measurements after 2 years; 1.QOL (WHO BREF) 2.Urine for drugs 3.Employment rate This is a cohort study. The study was reviewed and fully approved by the internal review board of International Islamic University and Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan ethics committee. Informed consent of the participants is obtained after the nature of the procedures is fully explained. CharacteristicsNumber* (%) Age (years) 21-3026 (24.3) 31-4052 (48.6) 41-5023 (21.5) 51-606 (5.6) Race Malay102 (95.3) Chinese5 (4.7) Gender Male104 (97.2) Female3 (2.8) Marital status Single72 (67.3) Married30 (28.0) Divorced/widowed5 (4.7) Educational Level No formal education/primary school11 (10.3) Secondary school94 (87.8) College/graduate2 (1.9) Employment Status Employed 83 (Improvement from 69% to 77.6%) Unemployed24 (22.4) Variable Mean Improvement 95% Confidence IntervalStandard Deviation P value PrePostlowerupper Total QOL 77.0789.62 16.3% -15.93-9.1717.617.001* 1.Physical domain 84.90 99.14 16.8% -18.25-10.2320.931.001* 2.Psychological domain 71.40 85.76 20.1% -17.91-10.8018.551.001* 3.Social relationshpips domain 35.48 41.53 17.1% -8.39-3.7212.167.001* 4.Enviroment domain 96.71 112.64 16.5% -20.81-11.0425.476.001* CONCLUSIONS Significant improvements in all QOL domains Improvement in employment rate from 69% to 77.6% About 92% of the subjects had negative urine drugs in the second year of the programme. Demographic : QOL