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
Newsletter
STUDY: Saving Lives by Launching Buprenorphine Treatment in the ED: What Clinicians Need to Know
It’s a scene that’s repeated countless times every day across the U.S. Siren blaring, an ambulance jolts to a stop at the entrance to a hospital emergency department (ED). Two paramedics jump out, open the back door, retrieve a young man strapped on a gurney, and wheel the gurney into the ED. A doctor hurries over. The lead paramedic calls out, “Apparent heroin OD; … [Read more...] about STUDY: Saving Lives by Launching Buprenorphine Treatment in the ED: What Clinicians Need to Know
STUDY: Is ACA Medicaid Expansion Fueling the Opioid Epidemic, or Is It Saving Lives?
This is such an important question to resolve! Especially now, with more than a dozen states yet to decide on Medicaid expansion, while studies—some pro, some con, fail to provide an answer. So many factors are in play, and the statistical analysis involved is intensive. Background The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) became law in 2010, … [Read more...] about STUDY: Is ACA Medicaid Expansion Fueling the Opioid Epidemic, or Is It Saving Lives?
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
