The only methadone maintenance treatment program is conducted for patients with opioid dependence in The Centre for Treatment of Drug Dependencies in Bratislava since the year 1997. There is in this study brief description of the reasons for the beginning of the program, the structure, development of its implementation, as well as some of its principal out-comes. The 12-months retention rate 80.7 % was calculated from the sample of 432 patients, who were treated in the program till the end of June 2001. 13 % of the samples sent for urinalysis were tested positive for morphine. Patients satisfaction with the program was evaluated with application of CSQ-8 scale and was 88 %. An average cost per patient was 25,550.- Sk (approximately USD 530) in the program in the year 2001. Abuse of benzodiazepines, alcohol and other psychoactive substances in part of the patients and safety aspects are typical problems, which have emerged in program implementation during last five years. The program should be implemented with respect to the epidemiological situation in the other regions of Slovakia.

Key words: methadone – substitution therapy – opiate dependence – evaluation