Methadone Maintenance and Delinquency Rates of Opioid Drug Users

The methadone maintenance therapy still stays controversai, pro- and contra aspects are discussed as well. Besides scientific — medical, social — psychological aspects also economical (“economy of drug use”) are pointed out and become more and more of interest. According to the latter costs have been listed for the consumption of drugs, the court, long time arrest and the costs for rehabilitation and prevention of crime. An alternative which makes sense is the long time therapy in an outpatient department with a dosage, which is adapted gently to the patient. In accordance with Haas (1) especially the methadone maintenance therapy in this group of patients is working palliative for an unlimited period of time.