- POLAND
Program Methadonowy, Osrodek
Diagnostyki i Terapii AIDS Szpital Specjalistyczny w Chorzowie (Methadone Programme Centre
for AIDS Diagnostics and Therapy Specialistic Hospital in Chorzów.
- The programme started in 1998 at
first as a programme for PLWH only. Granted by the Lindesmith Centre, part of the Open
Society Institute (New York, USA) was originally prepared for 50 patients. In 1999, due to
changes in the Polish health care system, the programme started to be financed by the
treasury of the sick (Krankenkasse) and comprised 75 patients -not only HIV (+).
Participation in the programme is free for insured patients. There are a 100 patients in
the programme since January 2000.
-
- The centre employs 12
professionals of which 3 nurses, 2 doctors, 1 psychiatrist, 2 social workers, 2 educators,
1 administrator, a psychologist and one other namely one cleaner .
- Treatment philosophy is based upon
harm reduction offering maintenance and detoxification programmes.
- Currently the centre treats 100
patients, wich is the maximum capacity. There is a waiting list of 20 persons. There is no
maximum duration of treatment.
-
- The centre offers:
- - medical care
- - social assistance
- - psychiatric care
- - psycho-therapy
- - other medication
-
- The centre demands:
- - daily attendance
- - urine checks
- - mandatory meetings with social
work
-
- Violence, relaps and
non-attendance can get patient expelled from treatment.
- The average dose of methadone prescribed is 80 mg.
-
- Procedures for taking patient for
a short period of time:
- The centre should be informed
beforehand by fax.
The patient should present a
letter from his/her doctor, this letter should mention:
- - identity
- - treatment history
- -dose and period for which the
methadone is requested
- - references where information can
be checked
-
- There are no costs involved.
- Procedures for patients who want
to enter the programme on a permanent basis are no different.
-
- Additional information:
- The programme originally started
as a program oriented for PLWH, and still most of the patients are HIV (+). But now this
is not the essential criterion for admittance to the programme. Staff which works for the
programme is also involved in the drug addiction issues of the in and out-patients of the
Centre for AIDS Diagnostics and Therapy. The centre also co-operates with the regional
system of drug addiction treatment facilities, which consists of consultation points,
detox centres and rehab centres. In Poland methadone can be provided to drug addicts only
within centres, so it is not possible for addicts to receive methadone from GP`s or from
pharmacies (at least not until now).
- Address:
- Zjednoczenia 10
- Chorzów, 41-500
- Tel: +4832-2417192/ +4832-2413255
- Fax: +4832-2417192
- Email: odtawkmb@silesia.pik-net.pl
- Hours of opening: 09.00-18.00h
- Contact person: Marek Beniowski, Edward Bozek