SWITZERLAND; KANTON SANKT GALLEN (German speaking part)
 
Kantonsarzt: Dr. med. FELIX JUNGI
Address: Moosbrugstrasse 11
9001 St. Gallen
Phone: +41-71-2293564
Fax: +41-71-2294609
 
Prescription of methadone had to be approved by the Kantonsarzt, by filling in a questionnaire (Bewilligungsgesuch), which can be obtained at the Kantonsarztdienst, same phone/fax number as Kantonsarzt.
Methadone is dispensed through General Practitioners, Drug services and two Hospital units. More specialised (short-term) programmes exist in prisons and clinics, especially in case of pregnancy or HIV/AIDS. The Kantonsarztamt is co-ordinating and supervising all Methadoneprogrammes in the Canton (app. 800 at this moment)
 
Hospital units:
 
Kantonsspital St. Gallen
Medizinische Klinik A
Rorschacherstrasse 95
9007 St. Gallen
Phone: +41-71-4941111
Phone for methadone provision: Infektiologische Sprechstunde: +41-71-4941028
Fax: +41-71-4942872

Medizinisch - soziale Hilfstelle MSH 2
 
They offer:
- medical care
- social assistance
- psychiatric care
- psycho-therapy
- other medication
 
They demand daily attendance, urine checks and mandatory meetings with social work.
 
Violence and non-attendance can get patient expelled from treatment.
 
Procedures for taking patient for a short period of time:  First you have to get into contact with the kantonsarzt (dr Jungi).
He should be informed beforehand by phone or fax.
The information necessary is:
- identity
- treatment history
- dose and period for which methadone is requested
- references for which the provision of methadone is requested
 
When visiting the patient has to bring a letter from his doctor. There are costs involved (approximately 10 Swiss francs a day). There is no maximum duration of treatment. 
 
Procedures for patients who want to enter the programme on a permanent basis are no different.
 
Medizinisch - soziale Hilfstelle MSH 2
Rorschacherstrasse 71
9000 St. Gallen
Phone: +41-71-2426900
Fax: +41-71-2429471
Contact person Dr. L. ZAJMI / F. JUNGI
Hours of opening: Monday till Friday from 8.30 till 10.00 hours and from 17.00 - 20.00 hours; Saturday and Sunday from 17.00 - 18.00 hours