The practices and context of pharmacotherapy of opioid dependence in South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions
WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
WHO/MSD/MSB/02.1
This publication presents an overview of the practices and the context of pharmacotherapy of opioid dependence in selected countries of the South East Asia and Western Pacific regions of the World Health Organisation. Based on reports provided by professionals involved in treatment of opioid dependence in these regions, the document describes the current situation with opioid use and its health consequences in Asia, the role of pharmacological treatment of opioid dependence in public health responses to opioid dependence and associated health consequences in the region, as well as priorities for development of treatment responses. The publication contains key informant reports from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. This publication has been prepared in conjunction with another WHO document that is focused on pharmacotherapy of opioid dependence in selected countries of Central and Eastern Europe and both documents are a part of the global activity on treatment of opioid dependence which is currently being implemented by the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence.