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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2002, 04, 3 (pages: 13 - 19)

Methadone treatment in Croatia

Ivancic A.

Summary: The war between 1991 and 1995, brought destruction, migrations and victims to Croatia, but it also brought a heron addiction epidemic. The supply of methadone was undermined by war-related crimes and demand was paralysed by confusion about the options that were available. Croatia did have a number of experienced specialists in the field of addiction, and, fortunately, their ideas were accepted and promoted. Methadone was introduced through a “slightly open door”, but no official announcements were made. The first patients were admitted to MT in 1991. Of an estimated 15,000 heroin addicts, about 7,000 were given some kind of treatment, including 3,000 in MT, and about 2,000 in MMT. Methadone policy specifics are: 1. Health insurance coverage that includes MT for virtually all addicts. 2. Centres for outpatient treatment in all major cities. 3. Completely decentralized prescription and dispensing of methadone through GP offices. Despite the lack of strict rules, or maybe just because of that, MT in Croatia is well established and is generally viewed favourably. The obstacles encountered so far have never reached a level that might jeopardize the fundamentals of the programme.