Another wall that crumbled--methadone maintenance treatment in Germany.
During the past quarter-century there have been innumerable reports throughout the world documenting the effectiveness of methadone maintenance treatment. None have been as consistently positive as those from Germany, where just a few years ago methadone was effectively banned. The German accomplishments in the past 6 years in treating addicts with methadone confirm the experience elsewhere: Methadone treatment is a highly desired alternative to many who wish to escape the life of the street addict; it is very effective in benefiting the individual patient as well as the general community; and it can be expanded rapidly and on a large scale. What is needed today is not further discussion but a firm commitment to make treatment available on request to every addict willing to accept it. With methadone maintenance--one treatment approach among many--this goal is achievable. There is no justification for settling for less.
Newman
R G
RG
Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York 10003, USA.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D003415:Crime / Q000517:prevention & control; D005858:Germany; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D008691:Methadone