[Treatment of drug dependent patients with methadone. 1: Goals, types and results of methadone programs]

Abstract

Is the medical prescription of narcotics an adequate way to treat opiate addiction? This question has been controversial in Germany for the last two decades. In 1987, a clinical trial of levomethadone treatment has been started in North-Rhine-Westfalia. Recently, aspects of public health have come to the fore, as methadone programs are hopefully believed to contribute to the prevention of HIV-infections among intravenous drug users. Principles and models of methadone treatment are briefly discussed, international experiences reported, and major objections reviewed.