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Abstract
Initiating drug dependence treatment programs within a Veterans Administration Hospital poses (1) general problems related to change in any large institution and (2) special problems resulting from mutual suspicions between the hospital staff and the drug-using population. This paper describes knowledge gained over the past 4 years in the course of initiating a detoxification ward, three different residential settings, and two methadone clinics. Experiences with ex-addict counselors and with active military duty personnel sent to the VA for rehabilitation are included. No specific conclusions are drawn other than that effective drug treatment programs can be established in a VA hospital setting.