SWITZERLAND; KANTON NEUCHâTEL / NEUENBURG (French speaking part)
 
Médecin cantonal: Dr. DAPHNE BERNER
Address: Rue Pourtalès 2
Case postale 1340
2001 Neuchâtel
Phone: +41-32-8895210
Fax: +41-32-8896070

All General Practitioners can dispense methadone, as well as the following three clinics:
 
Drop-in
 
The centre employs 17 professionals of which 1 doctor, 2 nurses, 5 psychologists, 3 educators, 4 social workers and 2 administrators.
Treatment philosophy is based upon harm reduction offering detoxification and maintenance programmes. The average dose of methadone prescribed is 60-80 mg. Currently the centre treats 160 patients.
There is no maximum duration of treatment and no waiting list.
 
The centre offers:
- medical care
- social assistance
- psychiatric care
- psycho-therapy
- prevention (1st, 2nd & 3rd grade)
 
The centre demands:
- daily attendance (methadone provision)
- urine checks (depends on contract)
- mandatory meetings with social work (depends on contract)
- motivation
 
Violence and dealing on location can get patient expelled from treatment.
 
Procedures for taking patient for a short time:
The centre should be informed beforehand by phone, e-mail, fax or letter.
The information necessary is:
- identity
- treatment history
- dose and period for which methadone is requested
- references where information can be checked
 
When visiting the patient has to bring a letter from his doctor.
There are no costs involved.
 
If patient want to enter the programme on a permanent basis the intake criteria are different, namely psycho-therapeutic activities are involved.
 
address:
Drop-in
Fausses-Brayes 5
2000 Neuchâtel
Phone: +41-32-7246010
Fax: +41-32-7299858
E-mail:info@drop-in.ch
Website: http://www.drop-in.ch
Contact person: Dr. PIERRE-ALAIN PORCHET
Hours of opening: from 8.30 till 12.00 hours and from 14.30 till 19.00 hours

Centre de prévention et de traitement de la toxicomanie (C.P.T.T.)
 
The centre employs 14 professionals of which 1 doctor, 2 medical assistants, 1 psychologist, 3 social workers, 4 educators, 2 administrators and a manager. the centre co-operates with pharmacies, General Practitioners and other treatment facilities.
Treatment philosophy is based upon harm reduction offering detoxification and maintenance programmes. The average dose of methadone prescribed is 80-120 mg. Currently the centre treats 160 patients/week (260/year).
There is no maximum duration of treatment and no waiting list.
 
The centre offers:
- medical care
- social assistance
- psychiatric care
- psycho-therapy
- soup kitchen
- other medication
 
The centre demands:
- daily attendance for the first three months
- urine checks
- mandatory meetings with social work
 
Non-attendance for several days, violence and dealing on location can get patient expelled from treatment.
 
If patient wants to enter the programme on a permanent basis he has to apply at the public health department.
 
Procedures for taking patient for a short time:
The centre should be informed beforehand by fax.
 
The information necessary is:
- identity
- dose and period for which methadone is requested
- references where information can be checked
 
There are no costs involved.
 
Address:
Centre de prévention et de traitement de la toxicomanie (C.P.T.T.)
Hôtel-de-Ville 27
2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Phone: +41-32-9678600
Fax: +41-32-9678609
E-mail: CPTT@VTX.CH
Contact person: MARCEL COTTING
Hours of opening: from 8.00 till 12.00 hours and from 14.00 till 18.00 hours

Centre d'aide, de prévention et de traitement des toxicomanes
Ruelle Guilleri 8
2114 Fleurier
 
GPs and the centres can only dispense methadone if the prescription is approved by the Médecin cantonal.