title: Staff concerns in heroin-assisted treatment centres.
abstract: Heroin-assisted treatment (HAT) is a solution for improving the condition of treatment-resistant heroin addicts. Since 1994, six randomized controlled trials have concluded that HAT is more efficacious than oral methadone for severe heroin addicts. We visited seven HAT treatment centres in four countries in order to observe diacetylmorphine (DAM) administration and to study the main concerns of the staff. Nurses were concerned by the risk taken if a previously intoxicated patient received his dose of DAM. Another concern was the smuggling of DAM doses. The HAT centres face a dilemma: treating patients while at the same time allowing their risky street habits in the centre.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Institute for Human and Social Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium. isabelle.demaret@ulg.ac.be
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Demaret
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lemaître
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ansseau
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D062787:Drug Overdose; D003932:Heroin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D012637:Security Measures; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003932:Heroin