THE NETHERLANDS; GRONINGEN
 
Ambulante Verslavingszorg Provincie Groningen (AVG)
 
The network employs 107 professionals, of which 3 doctors, 14 nurses, 42 social workers, 12 administrators, 34 involved in services and prevention and 2 managers.
treatment philosophy is based upon maintenance and harm reduction. The average of methadone prescribed is 45 mg. There is no limitation to the duration of treatment.
Currently 1130 patients are treated by the network. There is no limit to that number and there is no waiting list.
 
The centre offers:
- medical care
- social assistance
 
Non-attendance, violence and dealing in the surroundings can get patient expelled from treatment.
 
Procedures for taking patient on a permanent basis:
 
- the patient has to live or stay in the treatment area of the AVG
- the patient has to be insured and have a General Practitioner or able to arrange this on short notice
- addiction to opioids
- motivation to handle the addiction and related problems through detoxification or other programmes
- agreement with treatment rules and regulations, including integration of their personal data in the medical administration of the     AVG.
 
procedures for taking patient for a short period of time:
The centre has to be informed beforehand by letter or fax.
The information needed is:
- identity
- treatment history
- dose and period for which methadone is requested
- references
 
When visiting the patient has to bring a letter from his doctor.
There are no costs involved
AVG (Main office)
Aweg 29,
9718 CW Groningen
Tel : +31-50-3182355
Fax: +31-50-3138849
 
addresses of the AVG network:
 
AVG Team A (for western region of the province of Groningen)
This employs 23 professionals, of which 1 doctor, 2 nurses, 14 social workers, 4 administrators, 1 educator and 1 manager.
treatment philosophy is based upon maintenance, detoxification and harm reduction. The average of methadone prescribed is 45 mg. There is no limitation to the duration of treatment.
Currently 190 patients are treated and this is the maximum number of patients the centre is able to treat as well. There is no waiting list.
 
The centre offers:
- medical care
- psychiatric care
- social assistance
 
Violence can get patient expelled from treatment.
 
Procedures for taking patient on a permanent basis are no different
 
procedures for taking patient for a short period of time:
The centre has to be informed beforehand by phone or fax.
The information needed is:
- identity
- dose and period for which methadone is requested
- references
 
Sometimes urine checks are demanded.
When visiting the patient does not have to bring a letter from his doctor.
There are no costs involved for Dutch people.
 
post address: Postbus 1024, 9701 BA Groningen
visiting address: Aweg 29, 9701 BA Groningen
Phone: +31-50-5887500
Fax: +31-50-3138849
Contact person: Dr. M. Drenth-Versteeg/ Dr. R. Zijlstra

Email: AVG@castel.nl

Opened from Monday till Friday 08.30-17.00 hours
 

AVG Team B (for city of Groningen and the northern region of the province)
post address: Postbus 1024, 9701 BA Groningen
visiting address: Oostersingel 194, Groningen
Phone: +31-50-3116705
Fax: +31-50-3123687
Contact person: Dr. J. VAN GILSDONK and Mr. K. TIMMER (co-ordinator)
 

AVG Team R (Eastern region of the province)
post address: Postbus 63, 9670 AB Winschoten
visiting address: Nassaustraat 26, Winschoten
Phone: +31-59-7451133
Fax: +31-59-7451110
Contact person: Dr. J. WERKMAN / Mr. J. DAHMEN (co-ordinator)
Methadone is also dispensed through this unit in the cities of Delfzijl, Veendam, Hoogezand/Sappemeer