Abstinence and acceptance? The problematic relationship between the German abstinence paradigm, low-threshold oriented drug work, and methadone.
It is hardly surprising that, compared to international standards, the Federal Republic of Germany holds an exceptional position in the area of drug policy. For decades, the majority of so-called 'drug experts' in Germany have deliberately ignored the findings of international research and, often despite their better knowledge, pursued a policy of misinformation which has remained unaffected by international research findings and standards of practice. This policy is essentially characterised by a rigid adherence to the abstinence paradigm.
Gerlach
R
R
Institute of Sociology and Social Pedagogics, University of Munster, Scharnhorststr. 121, 4400, Munster, Germany.
Schneider
W
W