Topics
1. National context
The implementation of drug-related treatment in Turkey falls under the responsibility of the state, where the Science Committee for Methods of Drug Addiction treatment is responsible for the national coordination of drug-related treatment. The main tasks of this committee are to monitor, accredit and evaluate treatment services.
The treatment is provided through the Research, treatment and training centres for alcohol and substance addiction (AMATEMS), psychiatric clinics of public hospitals under the Ministry of Health, and university-based treatment units. In 2010, a total of 22 treatment units are active. The funding for drug treatment services is mainly provided by the state through health or social insurance funds, or is compensated by state in special occasions, or covered by the social solidarity fund.
The majority of treatment services for problem drug users are aimed at dealing with addiction in general and not specifically for users of illicit drugs. Treatment programmes aimed at achieving a future drug-free life is the main approach adopted by Turkish treatment programmes. The interventions consist of psychotherapeutic methods and supporting methods, with the majority of drug-related treatment services taking place within inpatient settings.
In 2009, a combined buprenorphine and naloxone medication has been licensed in Turkey and its use in drug addiction treatment for detoxification and substitution should start as of 2010.
2. Treatment registries and monitoring systems
No info
3. Treatment demand
| Clients in treatment | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of all clients entering treatment | 2492 | 2145 | 2594 |
| % of which for opioid use | 43.7 | 52.6 | 58.2 |
| % of which for cocaine use | 3.9 | 3.4 | 2.3 |
| % of which for cannabis use | 36.4 | 29.7 | 25.6 |
| % of which for stimulants use (other than cocaine) | 3.8 | 0.0 | 1.2 |
| Number of new clients entering treatment | 1394 | 1127 | 1480 |
| % of which for opioid use | 32.5 | 43.9 | 52.1 |
| % of which for cocaine use | 4.3 | 3.5 | 2.6 |
| % of which for cannabis use | 46.4 | 36.3 | 30.1 |
| % of which for stimulants use (other than cocaine) | 4.5 | 0.1 | 1.5 |
| Notes: The variation across time, in particular with regard to the absolute numbers of clients in treatment, should be interpreted with caution as coverage data may have changed over time. For further information on coverage details please refer to the relevant EMCDDA Statistical Bulletin. ‘N. Av.’ stands for ‘No information available’. For an explanation of terms used, see the definitions of terms. Sources: Reitox national reports 2009 and TDI tables (ST34) V. 1.0-2007, questions 13.1.1 and 13.1.2. EMCDDA Statistical Bulletin 2007 (Tables TDI 4 and 5), 2009 and 2011 (Tables TDI 2 and 5). | |||
4. Treatment provision
| Type of treatment | Availability |
|---|---|
| Psychosocial out-patient interventions | Limited |
| Psychosocial in-patient interventions | Extensive |
| Detoxification | Full |
| Substitution/maintenance treatment | N.Av. |
| Notes: ‘N. Av.’ stands for ‘No information available’. For an explanation of terms used, see the definitions of terms. Based on question 3.1 " Please assess the current availability of the treatment interventions below in relation to the user needs, judging the degree to which treatment capacity matches the demand" of Structured Questionnaire SQ27P1 on 'Treatment programmes'. Rating Scale (level of availability):
Reitox national reports 2009, Structured Questionnaire on 'Treatment programmes'(SQ27P1), submitted in 2008 and 2005, Standard Tables 24 (ST24) on 'Treatment availability' submitted in 2004, 2006 and 2008. | |
| Opioid substitution treatment | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of clients in opioid substitution treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| of which with methadone | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| of which with buprenorphine | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Notes: For a detailed European overview please see Table HSR-3 in the EMCDDA Statistical Bulletin 2011. For an explanation of terms used, see the definitions of terms. Sources: Reitox national reports 2009, Structured Questionnaire on 'Treatment programmes'(SQ27P1), submitted in 2008 and 2005, Standard Tables 24 (ST24) on 'Treatment availability' submitted in 2004, 2006 and 2008. | |||
| Applied substances in opioid substitution treatment | Officially introduced in |
|---|---|
| Methadone (MMT) | N.App. |
| Buprenorphine (HDBT) | N.App. |
| Heroin assisted treatment,including as trials | N.App. |
| Slow-release morphine | N.App. |
| Buprenorphine/naloxone combination | 2009 |
| Notes: For a detailed European overview please see Table HSR-1 in the EMCDDA Statistical Bulletin 2011. ‘N. App.’ stands for ‘Not applicable’. For an explanation of terms used, see the definitions of terms. Sources: Reitox national reports 2009, Structured Questionnaire on 'Treatment programmes'(SQ27P1), submitted in 2008 and 2005, Standard Tables 24 (ST24) on 'Treatment availability' submitted in 2004, 2006 and 2008. | |
| Legal framework of opioid substitution treatment | Methadone | Buprenorphine |
|---|---|---|
| Do office-based medical doctors have the right to initiate the prescription of substitution treatment? | N.App. | N.App. |
| Do specialised medical doctors have the right to initiate the prescription of substitution treatment? | N.App. | N.App. |
| Notes: For a detailed European overview please see Table HSR-2 in the EMCDDA Statistical Bulletin 2011. For an explanation of terms used, see the definitions of terms. 'Specialised medical doctors' refers to specifically trained or accredited office-based medical doctors. Sources: Reitox national reports 2009, Structured Questionnaire on 'Treatment programmes'(SQ27P1), submitted in 2008 and 2005, Standard Tables 24 (ST24) on 'Treatment availability' submitted in 2004, 2006 and 2008. | ||
Treatment availablity in Europe
The graphic below presents an overview of treatment provision by different types of service (psychosocial outpatient, substitution, psychosocial inpatient and detoxification) in different European countries and can be used for comparative purposes. Click on the thumbnail to view it.
Figure 1: Treatment availability in Europe, 2007
5. References and links
Related EMCDDA resources
- Health and social responses statistics
- Treatment demand statistics
- Annual report on the state of the drugs problem
- National reports for Turkey
- Country overview for Turkey
- Drug treatment responses page
- Best practice portal
- Treatment demand key indicator page
For a comprehensive overview on drug treatment systems, availability and utilisation in Europe, please consult the 2008 online report on ‘Quality of treatment services in Europe — drug treatment — situation and exchange of good practice’ published by the Directorate General for Health and Consumers.
External links
Treatment inventories
