• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Addiction Treatment Forum

Addiction Treatment Forum

Addiction Treatment Forum reports on substance use news of interest to opioid treatment programs and patients in medication-assisted treatment.

  • Newsletter
  • Addiction Resources
  • Rx Methadone & Safety
  • Patient Brochures
  • Events
  • Related Websites

Patient Advocacy Group Works to Improve Treatment in NY OTPs

March 8, 2012 by ATForum

 A new group, VOCAL-NY, modeling themselves after some of the aggressive organizations that brought attention to the AIDS crisis in New York,
is focusing their attention on methadone maintenance treatment in opioid treatment programs (OTPs). Last year, a group of VOCAL members went
to the state capitol to get the attention of Gov. Andrew Cuomo about hepatitis C testing and treatment in OTPs. To their surprise, the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) was responsive, supporting the need for a more comprehensive hepatitis C program in OTPs, where many patients are infected with the virus. OASAS medical director Steven Kipnis, MD, “got it immediately,” said Sean Barry, a leader of VOCAL, which stands for Voices of Community Advocates and Leaders.

VOCAL has been critical of some OTPs. The organization advocates for improved treatment, transparency, knowledge, and education. In particular, the group says patients should have better testing and treatment for hepatitis C, a major concern for VOCAL-NY members. Treatment should be provided
on site, says Mr. Barry, citing a model used at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. On-site treatment is important because many patients do not follow through on their own, and patients can benefit from peer and staff support. 

There is some confusion about what is required by the state. According to Vocal-NY, all patients should be screened upon admission to an OTP and at yearly check-ups. Asked what the current OASAS regulations are for OTPs and hepatitis C, an OASAS spokeswoman responded: “OTPs are required to test for Hepatitis C, if clinically indicated.”

But as a result of VOCAL-NY’s efforts, OASAS is in the process of developing additional guidance to assist OTPs in working with patients with hepatitis C, said the OASAS spokeswoman. That guidance was due February 9.

For the report from VOCAL-NY, compiled by surveying OTP patients, see
http://www.vocal-ny.org/publications/beyond-methadone-improving-the-health-of-patients/.

Accessed February 20, 2012.

Filed Under: 22-1, Newsletter

Primary Sidebar

Upcoming Events

AATOD
April 10-14, 2021
Las Vegas, NV
https://www.eventscribe.com/2021/AATOD/

The Americam Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) 51th Annual Medical-Scientific Conference
Thursday, April 22, 2021 to Saturday, April 24, 2021
Virtual
https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/meetings-events/2021/04/americam-society-addiction-medicine-asam-51th-annual-medical-scientific-conference

APA 2021 Annual Meeting
Saturday, May 1, 2021 to Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Los Angeles, California
https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/meetings-events/2021/05/apa-2021-annual-meeting

View More Upcoming Events…

ATForum.com

  • Newsletter
  • News Updates
  • Addiction Resources
  • Rx Methadone & Safety
  • Patient Education Brochures
  • Events
  • Related Websites

Addiction Resources

  • Addiction and Recovery
  • Addiction Treatment Forum
  • Books and Booklets of Interest
  • Drug Screening and Testing
  • Evidence-Based Addiction Medicine
  • Government
  • Health Care Reform
  • Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment
  • Mental Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Online Continuing Education Free Training Modules

Footer

Addiction Treatment Forum is produced by an independent medical communications agency. Commercial advertising is not accepted.
Published by Clinco Communications, Inc.
About Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Follow Us

This educational resource is supported by Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.

Sign up for News!

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Clinco Communications, Inc., 1808 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL, 60004, http://www.atforum.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

© 2021 Addiction Treatment Forum · All Rights Reserved