THE SEARCH FOR A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY TOWARD OPIATE ADDICTION

Abstract

The methodological limitations of the Fischer et al. study are noted by the authors. The paper reports the opinions of a small snowball sample from three urban centers in Canada. Half the Vancouver and Montreal focus groups have never been in treatment. Users in methadone programs had more positive things to say about it than those not in treatment. Self-selection is an obvious variable in assessing the responses. My comments are mostly derived from my clinical experience practicing within the Canadian context.

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Notes on contributors

Nady el-Guebaly

Nady el-Guebaly, M.D., is currently Professor and Head, Division of Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, and past Chair of the Department. He is the Founding Director of its Addiction Centre. His past professional organizational involvement includes President of the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine and President of the Canadian Psychiatric Association. He is currently, Chair, Drug Dependence and Alcoho-lism Section of the World Psychiatric Association and Founding President of the International Society of Addiction Medicine. These views do not necessarily reflect the views of these organizations.