People who use drugs often present to health workers at drop-in centres (DICs) with health conditions that are consequences of drug use and dependence. People using substances usually have multiple medical problems that need to be assessed comprehensively to plan and implement appropriate treatment.

The key objective of these guidelines is to assist health workers in making a comprehensive assessment of drug use–related disorders and to promote the rational use of medication to treat conditions such as withdrawal symptoms, intoxication and common mental health problems within a harm reduction context. The guidelines have two sections. The first section is for use by health workers in HAARP service sites. The second section is for use by trained mental health and advanced practitioners only.

They were designed to be used to help service providers in Myanmar and across South-East Asia to deal with drug use– related physical and mental health issues in outpatient settings.