History

Euro-Methwork started in 1994 as an informal network of people who were concerned about the quality and quantity of substitution treatment in the European Region.
In the first 5 years of Euro-Methwork's existence, activities mainly focused on the exchange of information and expertise. This was done through workgroups and meetings at International Conferences, Newsletters and a website.

In the late nineties, is was decided to produce the European Methadone Guidelines. With financial support of the European Commission and the help of many experts in the field, Annette Verster and Ernst Buning published the Guidelines in 2000. They have been translated in many languages, amongst which Spanish, German, French, Italian, Greek, Russian, Slovenian, Slovak and Polish.

The rapid increase of Substitution Treatment in the European Region in the late nineties, was sometimes done at cost of the quality. It was therefore decided to develop tools in order to improve quality of treatment (Training Manual) and to make policymakers aware of the benefits of Substitution Treatment (booklet for policymakers).
Recently, a booklet about buprenorphine was written, in which critical issues are discussed.

Another important activity of Euro-Methwork concerns the Maintenace Assistance Point (MAP). This is a database with information about the provision of substitution treatment for patients who need to move to another place/country.
Just recently, Euro-Methwork has started a new project where german doctors are being trained to become a trainer.