[8 years experience with heroin-assited treatment in Switzerland--current results and future improvements]

In 1994, Switzerland introduced experimental heroin assisted treatment for refractory opioid addicts as last line of treatment. An evaluation research was established examining effectiveness and cost-benefit of heroin-assisted treatment for the first project phase between 1994 and 1996. The present publication intends to provide an overview for the newer results of the evaluation. In summary, the positive outcomes found at first follow-ups continued to persist regarding somatic and mental improvements, social integration including reduction of criminal behaviour, and reduction of use of illicit drugs. In future, treatment of co-morbid mental disorders, integration into the labour market and persistent consumption of cocaine in some patients still need focussed attention. Different efforts to assure quality control and development hopefully will serve towards further optimisation of heroin-assisted treatment.