This review, published by The Cochrane Collaboration in 2003, evaluates the effectiveness of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) compared to non-pharmacological treatments for opioid dependence. The review includes six randomized controlled trials involving 954 participants. The main outcomes assessed were retention in treatment, morphine-positive urines, self-reported heroin use, criminal activity, and mortality. The results indicate that MMT is statistically significantly more effective than non-pharmacological approaches in retaining patients in treatment and suppressing heroin use. However, it does not show a statistically significant advantage in reducing criminal activity or mortality. The review concludes that methadone is an effective intervention for managing heroin dependence, retaining patients in treatment, and reducing heroin use.This review, published by The Cochrane Collaboration in 2003, evaluates the effectiveness of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) compared to non-pharmacological treatments for opioid dependence. The review includes six randomized controlled trials involving 954 participants. The main outcomes assessed were retention in treatment, morphine-positive urines, self-reported heroin use, criminal activity, and mortality. The results indicate that MMT is statistically significantly more effective than non-pharmacological approaches in retaining patients in treatment and suppressing heroin use. However, it does not show a statistically significant advantage in reducing criminal activity or mortality. The review concludes that methadone is an effective intervention for managing heroin dependence, retaining patients in treatment, and reducing heroin use.