Opioid substitution treatment practice guidelines February 2003
These Opioid Substitution Treatment New Zealand Practice Guidelines provide a framework for the effective, safe and responsive delivery of opioid substitution treatment and will supersede the National Protocol for Methadone Treatment in New Zealand (1996) from 1 February 2003.
There is an emphasis in these guidelines on the continuity of care that ranges from intensive intervention and active case management (stabilisation) to ongoing care in the primary health care system through appropriate general practitioners (GPs). A balance between accessibility to services and maintaining quality service delivery can be achieved when trained GPs who prescribe pharmacotherapies are able to refer clients to or consult with specialist alcohol and other drug services. No matter what setting, opioid substitution treatment will be more successful when services are accessible, entry is prompt, clinicians are non-judgmental and there is access when appropriate to allied medical, psychological, social and/or cultural services.
