ABSTRACT
This chapter examines policy in treatment centers for substance use problems. Using abstinence vs. harm reduction as a case study, it describes the key elements involved in policy development and setting. Policy in a treatment center can serve as a guideline to help clinicians and persons in treatment make decisions. For instance, in the example of an abstinence policy, professionals and persons in treatment know that the use of substances during treatment leads to treatment termination: it was an authoritative procedure that was not put into question in the centers. The choice of policy is inseparable from the goal pursued by a board. For integrity purposes, goals of a selected policy should be explicit, not implicit, and state the strengths and limitations that are expected with its implementation. Integrity also requires consistency of speech from one policy to another, and performance consistency.
