[Pro and contra: maintaining drug dependent patients on methadone]

Abstract

Two controversial essays published in this journal referring to methadone-maintenance of drug addicts are reviewed in respect to the medico-legal situation in Germany. Requirements for a broad scope of action for medically justified therapies are discussed. In view of politically or governmentally initiated methadone-programs, the need for medically reasonable and careful decisions on individual cases is pointed out. Instead of conflicting ideologies, empirically proved and scientifically controlled knowledge has to be worked out.