Shifts in Opioid Substitution Treatment Policy in Denmark from 2000-2011.

This article discusses how opioid substitution treatment policy has developed from 2000 to 2011 in Denmark. Empirically, it takes its point of departure in a stakeholder analysis including 17 qualitative interviews with stakeholders who have played important roles in this field. Analytically, it is inspired by Kingdon's concepts of agenda and policy window. Three major shifts are identified: a shift from psychosocial to medical thinking and practice, from an abstinence driven ideology to health care, and from perceptions of passive clients to user involvement. These shifts are discussed in relation to the legal context of substitute prescribing medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]