A CRITICISM - A RESPONSE.

C. Andre St. Pierre, in his article "A Treatment Program for the Drug-Dependent Patient" in the October 1969 issue, creates the erroneous impression that the Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Program at Boston State Hospital is run on the lines he describes. The Boston State Hospital program was initiated in July 1964 and the Boston City Hospital program around August 1966. The orientation of the program is a drug- free environment, with Methadone used in the withdrawal of heroin abusers. The milieu is that of a therapeutic community, with intensive group confrontation of the "here and now". One-to-one therapy is rarely used during the early phase of treatment.