Israel
Methadone/Buprenorphine Treatment: available
There is an information sheet issued by the Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse stating the following:
“Drug Maintenance Treatment Centers (DMTCs) in Israel are operated by the Ministry of Health. Currently, regulations in Israel allow no privately run Methadone maintenance programs. Buprenorphine Maintenance Treatment is also available in a small number of private clinics who had received appropriate licensing and are supervised by the Ministry of Health.
The treatment program in the DMTCs requires daily, on-site oral intake of methadone/buprenorphine as well as participation in on-site psycho-social and counseling programs (Saturdays and religious holidays are exempted). All patients are expected to abide with the rules of the DMTC and to comply with treatment regimen.
Regional DMTCs are located in Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, Yaffo, Beer-Sheeba, Haifa, Hadera, Ashdod, Nazereth, Tiberias and Um-El-Fachem. In the Galilee (Northern Israel) and the Negev dessert and Eilat (Southern Israel) special mobile units operate and make stops in various towns and villages.
Applicants are accepted after careful screening.
Admission requirements include:
o confirmed opiate addiction of at least 2 years;
o referral material including medical and addiction history;
o recent (within 90 days) urine analysis for drugs detection
o laboratory tests (routine blood tests etc.) as well as blood screening for HIV and Hepatitis B & C.
o For foreign residents an official confirmation document of addiction status, signed by a regional, state or federal medical officer from the Country of origin is required.
o Foreign residents who plan to visit Israel are advised to apply for treatment prior to their arrival. When applying all referral material, including necessary medical tests and records, should be sent by the treating physician to the Department for the Treatment of Substance Abuse at the address listed below.
The fee for tourists or foreign residents is US$ 200 per month or part thereof.
Applicants from abroad should be provided with the amount of take-home methadone/ buprenorphine sufficient for travel including a 7 day waiting period for processing in Israel. When supplying take-home methadone to patient flying to Israel, special attention should be paid to relevant international customs regulations.
Importation of Methadone/Buprenorphine: possible
Travelers wishing to bring methadone/buprenorphine into Israel for personal use as medication, must carry with them a letter from their treating/prescribing physician, attested, stamped and signed by an official medical officer from the Country of origin (e.g. local health authority), stating the patient’s personal data and detailing daily dosages, the total quantity of methadone/buprenorphine given and the dates of arrival and departure from Israel.
Contact Addresses:
Paula Rosca, M.D.
Head
Department for the Treatment of
Substance Abuse
Mental Health Services
Ministry of Health
20 King David St.
P.O.B. 1176
Jerusalem 91010
Israel
Phone: +972 2 /6228825/6/7/8
Fax: +972 2 6231196
Email:
Paola.Roska@Moh.Health.gov.il or
Danny.B@Moh.Health.gov.il
Any comments and additional
information greatly appreciated.
Please address all correspondence to:
Ralf Gerlach
INDRO e.V.
Bremer Platz 18-20
48155 Münster
Germany
Phone: +49 2571-582765 or -60123
Fax: +49 251-666580
Email: INDROeV@t-online.de
(This page last revised August 22, 2010)
