In medical practice almost every clinical decision also has a moral dimension. Of all branches of medicíně that holds by far the most in psychiatry. Often, one has to consider and weigh one moral value against another. In the páper the author wishes to focus on the criteria that háve to be set for buprenorphin substitution therapy for the specific clientele of the AT out-patient department. Each criterion is characterized and substantiated, being grouped into those for inclusion, termination, or exclusion from the substitution therapy. The criteria applied at the AT out-patient department are compared with those in western Europe, Great Britain, and the USA. The conclusion is substantiated with two čase reports.

        Key words: substitution therapy - buprenorphin - opiates - addiction to psychotropic substances - stan-dards of substitution therapy