Introduction of substitution treatment

There is considerable variation between Member States regarding the timing of the implementation of substitution treatment. Some Member States introduced methadone substitution programmes as long ago as the late 1960s and early 1970s, whereas some countries did not introduce this form of treatment on a widespread basis until the 1990s (Belgium, Greece, France, Norway). Substitution treatment is a relatively recent development in most of the new Member States, with most countries launching substitution treatment during the 1990s and Estonia introducing its first programme only in 2001. The exception is Slovenia, which has had established programmes since 1990 (Figure 15 OL).

Figure 15 OL: Introduction of methadone treatment in the EU