AUSTRIA STEIERMARK
 
The co-ordinator for drugs in Steiermark is Prim. Dr. JOACHIM BERTHOLD
Wagner-Jauregg-Platz 1
8053 GRAZ
Phone: +43-(0)316-29.1501.235
Fax: +43-(0)316-29.4191.306
 
He informed us about the situation in his region:
The provision of methadone has to be approved by the office that co-ordinates substitution (of any kind, not only methadone).
 
Address:
Koordinationsstelle der Landessanitätsdirektion für Steiermark
Paulustorgasse 4
8010 GRAZ
Phone:+43-(0)316-8773520
 
They provide the patient with a prescription up to one month which can be used at any pharmacy or (some) General Practitioner, Psychiatrists and Neurologists. This counts for all regions. But inform which private doctors could provide methadone first, because not all of them are trained or willing to do so.

In case of crisis there is an ambulance of the Landesnervenkrankenhaus Graz:
Ambulanz der Abteilung für Alkohol- und Suchtkranke des Landes-Nervenkrankenhaus Graz
Abteilung für Alkohol- und Suchtkranke
 
The centre employs 20 professionals of which 1 doctor, 1 psychiatrist, 1 nurse, 1 social worker.
Treatment philosophy is based upon harm reduction offering detoxification and maintenance programs. The average dose of methadone prescribed is 90 mg.
The centre treats 50 patients a year. for state institutions there is a waiting list of up to one month.
 
The centre offers:
- medical care
- social assistance
- psychiatric care
- referring patients to therapeutic communities
- other medication ( oral morphine)
- network with other therapeutic communities and medical committees
 
The centre demands:
- daily attendance (except on Sundays)
- urine checks once a week
- treatment contract
 
Violence and excessive side abuse can get patient expelled from treatment.
If patients want to enter the program on a permanent basis he has to apply for treatment. His application is discussed and approved by the "Sitzung der Koordinationsstelle der Landes-Sanitäts-Direktion".
Procedures for taking patient for a short time:
To inform the centre beforehand is not obligatory but makes things easier.
The patient should have prove of his identity and of the fact that he participates in a substitution program abroad. Written reference of dose and period for which methadone is requested is necessary.
Methadone provision through pharmacies can be arranged in the whole region of Steiermark.
 
Address:
Landes-Nervenkrankenhaus Graz
Abteilung für Alkohol- und Suchtkranke 
Wagner-Jauregg-Platz 1
8053 GRAZ
Phone: +43-316-29.4220.258
Fax: +43-316-29.4191.418
contact: Prim. Dr. JOACHIM BERTHOLD
Hours of opening: 24 hours a day