is methadone substitution the best treatment of choice for opioid dependence?

since the 19th century, opium has been produced and consumed in the areas of asia, currently referred to as the golden crescent and the golden triangle (1). the golden crescent lies in south and southwest asia, including districts in the northwest frontier province of pakistan, the adjacent badakhshan area of afghanistan and the baluchistan area of iran. the area has been the scene of traditional opium poppy cultivation since the 19th century. the opium produced was for indigenous use, including smoking and eating, in practically all countries in the region. the traditional pattern of indigenous opium use remained fairly untouched by drug injecting throughout the 1960s (2-4).