ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE ALTERNATIVES OF PRIVATE-PRACTICE,PUBLIC-HEALTH OFFICE AND CLINIC OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT AS DISPENSARIESFOR METHADONE SUBSTITUTION OF DRUG-USERS

In Germany, methadone substitution will be expanded considerably. Pilo t projects and single private practitioners collected first experience s. Other programmes and practitioners follow, since important obstacle s have been removed. Instead of individual solutions for limited numbe rs, broader concepts must be developed. Private practice, public healt h office and clinic out-patient departments each offer advantages and disadvantages. In several surveyed cities, there are a variety of subs titution facilities and no general solution. Local facilities have to be examined for their advantages and disadvantages and should be conne cted cooperatively -e.g. containing a central out-patient department a nd a number of private practitioners-to serve the needs of the patient s and the efficacy of the system.