UNIFORM STANDARDS FOR SUBSTANCE USER TREATMENT RESEARCH - AN EXAMPLE FROM GERMANY FOR THE UNITED-STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES

It is only through reasoned, accurate treatment evaluation research th at its effectiveness can be assessed. The value of these data can be l imited, however, by variability of methods and noncomparability of dat a, This is not the case, however, in other western countries. Germany has developed and is using a set of research and publication standards which speak to many of these deficiencies. These standards, described here in some detail, can serve as a model for regular, uniform, and u niversal data collection, thus allowing for some meaningful comparison s and assessments of in-situ treatment and the individuals receiving i t.