Since March, when the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) relaxed rules for methadone take-homes to decrease exposure to the coronavirus, opioid treatment programs (OTPs) have been exercising this unprecedented freedom. Specifically, SAMHSA said March 16 that all states with declared states of emergency may request blanket exemption (from SAMHSA) … [Read more...] about Extended Methadone Take-homes During COVID: Nothing But Success
Mallinckrodt Expands Sanitizer Donations to All OTPs During COVID-19 Pandemic
The first comment many opioid treatment programs (OTPs) had about Mallinckrodt’s new policy of donating hand sanitizers is: “You don’t even have to be a customer.” This is indeed a generous move by the Staines-Upon-Thames-based company that makes much of the methadone, buprenorphine, and other medications used by OTPs. Last week, the company announced that it will expand its … [Read more...] about Mallinckrodt Expands Sanitizer Donations to All OTPs During COVID-19 Pandemic
How Stavros 24-7 Clinics Handle the Pandemic
When the pandemic hit the epicenter of New York City in mid-March, Nicholas Stavros’ 24-7 clinics across the country were already preparing. “We got in front of this right away,” said Mr. Stavros, CEO of Community Medical Services (CMS), based in Scottsdale, Arizona. CMS has programs in several states, so keeping up with federal regulatory changes and state-by-state nuances … [Read more...] about How Stavros 24-7 Clinics Handle the Pandemic
How the North Carolina SOTA Responded to the Pandemic
When the pandemic hit full force in mid-March, the State Opioid Treatment Authorities (SOTAs) had to move fast. They regulate opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in their respective states, and well knew that many patients had to visit the clinic frequently. “Social distancing” was possible, but “virtual” treatment was not. To get medication, the patients had to be there. Smith … [Read more...] about How the North Carolina SOTA Responded to the Pandemic
New Georgia OTP Takes Patients and Deals With the Pandemic
Gateway Treatment Centers in Ellijay, Georgia, opened January 7—just a few weeks before the pandemic hit. But it was prepared. The program currently has over 50 patients; 20% of the initial intakes were transfer patients. They were living in this county but having to drive close to an hour to get to treatment. The majority are new patients—new to treatment. OTP … [Read more...] about New Georgia OTP Takes Patients and Deals With the Pandemic
