Medical prescription of heroin to chronic heroin addicts in Switzerland — a review

• Published in: Forensic science international Vol. 121; no. 1; pp. 23 - 26
• Main Authors: Brehmer, Cornelia, Iten, Peter X.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ireland Ltd 15.09.2001; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Addicts; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Consumption; Cost control; Criminal investigations; Drug abuse; Drug addiction; Drug addictions; Drug-related policy in Switzerland; Forensic medicine; Forensic sciences; Heroin; Heroin - therapeutic use; Heroin assisted treatment; Heroin Dependence - drug therapy; Heroin Dependence - economics; Humans; Medical sciences; Mental health; Methadone; Narcotics; Patients; Prescription of heroin; Preventive medicine; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Referendums; Retention; Scientific study on heroin prescription; Social integration; Social services; Social Support; Substance abuse treatment; Switzerland; Toxicology; Switzerland; Europe; United States > US; Prescription of heroin; Drug-related policy in Switzerland; Scientific study on heroin prescription; Heroin assisted treatment; Sanitary program; Drug addiction; Medical prescription; Health economy; Dependence; Review; Cost analysis; Heroin
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/S0379-0738(01)00448-0

In 1994, a new project dealing with the treatment of heroin dependency was introduced in Switzerland. A group of heavy opiate addicts, who had failed in previous medical therapies, received heroin by prescription, supported by health and social services. The admission criteria to this treatment are summarized as the main results of this project: physical and mental health of the addicts improved on average during treatment, an improvement also took place in their social reintegration, a significant decrease in consumption of illegal drugs took place and illegal activities declined massively. The proportion of patients who continued the treatment in a time period of 12 months was held at 76%. Comparison of the treatment costs with the economic benefits shows that there is a total benefit per patient and per day of US$ 26. Further drug related political decisions in Switzerland as well as the assessments of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) of the United Nations to this project will be reported and discussed.