The acceptability and feasibility of the Positive Reinforcement Opportunity Project, a community-based contingency management methamphetamine treatment program for gay and bisexual men in San Francisco

• Published in: Journal of psychoactive drugs Vol. Suppl 3; p. 377
• Main Authors: Strona, Frank V, McCright, Jacque, Hjord, Hanna, Ahrens, Katherine, Tierney, Steven, Shoptaw, Steven, Klausner, Jeffrey D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-11-2006
• Subjects: Adult; Amphetamine-Related Disorders - psychology; Amphetamine-Related Disorders - rehabilitation; Bisexuality; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Homosexuality; Humans; Male; Methamphetamine; Middle Aged; Psychotherapy; Reinforcement (Psychology); San Francisco; Substance Abuse Treatment Centers - organization & administration; Treatment Outcome; Unsafe Sex; San Francisco
• ISSN: 0279-1072

The Positive Reinforcement Opportunity Project (PROP) was a pilot program developed to build on the efficacy of contingency management (CM) using positive reinforcement to address the treatment needs of gay and bisexual men currently using crystal methamphetamines (meth). It was hypothesized that a version of CM could be implemented in San Francisco that was less costly than traditional treatment methods and reached gay and other MSM using meth who also engaged in high-risk sexual activity. Of the 178 men who participated in PROPfrom December 2003 to December 2005, many self-reported behaviors for acquiring and spreading sexually transmitted diseases including HIV infection. During the initial intake, 73% reported high-risk sexual behavior in the prior three months, with 60% reporting anal receptive and/or insertive sex without condoms. This report describes the implementation of PROP and suggest both its limitations and potential strengths. Initial findings suggest that PROP was a useful and low cost substance use treatment option that resulted in a 35% 90-day completion rate, which is similar to graduation rates from traditional, more costly treatment options. Further evaluation of the limited data from three- and six-month follow-up of those who completed PROP is currently ongoing.