The German monitoring and reporting system for the treatment of substance-related problems: a national system on the basis of aggregated data.

The German treatment monitoring and reporting system EBIS for out-patient centres treating clients with substance-related problems and disorders was set up in 1980. A parallel system for in-patient treatment was added in 1993 under the name of SEDOS. Together they are based nation-wide on more than 600 specialised treatment centres which collect diagnosis- and treatment-related data as well as information on socio-economic and family background. As part of the data relate to the end of treatment, also evaluative elements are included. In EBIS and SEDOS, aggregated data are the basis of the national and regional statistics produced, which offers a very high level of data protection for the clients treated. The revision of the national system implementing the Treatment Demand Indicator Protocol as the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction standard has already been started.