Treatment of drug dependence--the role of the satellite clinic.

A satellite clinic dealing with people with drug related problems has recently been established in Manchester. The clinic's success depends upon co-operation between the regional specialist and the district psychiatrist services. No serious management problems have arisen though patients taken on for out-patient detoxification increase the demand for community-based supervision. The clinic restricts its prescribing to short-term drug withdrawal 'package'. Oral methadone is the only opiate employed. Facilities exist for urine tests to be carried out as a routine, and the daily collection of drugs by the patient is made possible through the use of the pink 'drug clinic' prescription form. Achievement of abstinence is the measure of success for this short-term programme, although it is recognized that in future other factors will need to be studied. This initiative offers a model that could be followed in any region which currently lacks a widely available network of services for drug-takers.