Georgia’s 67 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) aren’t enough to treat everyone in the state who needs it, but some of the need appears to be coming from Tennessee—a neighboring state that doesn’t have enough treatment programs of its own. There are also cries of unethical marketing from some programs in the northwestern corner of Georgia, which abuts Tennessee, and where … [Read more...] about Tennessee Patients’ Lack of Access at Root of Georgia’s OTP Moratorium
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Tips From Top OTP Executives on Recruiting and Retaining Counselors
Finding and keeping good counselors in an opioid treatment program (OTP) isn’t easy, no matter what state you’re in. Salaries need to keep pace with the high cost of living in metropolitan areas, where many OTPs are located—something that’s very difficult for many programs. But offering benefits such as training can help, especially when the workforce is self-selecting for … [Read more...] about Tips From Top OTP Executives on Recruiting and Retaining Counselors
Early Intervention for OTPs: Education and Awareness Needed
Why don’t more patients go to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) earlier in their disease? For several reasons. First, the guidelines of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) require that patients have a one-year history of opioid addiction before entry into an OTP. However, “history” is not well defined. “It does not stipulate frequency of … [Read more...] about Early Intervention for OTPs: Education and Awareness Needed
OTPs Should Not Report Patient Information to PDMPs, But Should Use PDMPs For Patient Care
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) regulates opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and promulgates 42 CFR Part 2, the confidentiality rule protecting patient records. When state prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) came along—and they now exist in every state except Missouri—SAMHSA was put in the position of trying to determine where OTPs … [Read more...] about OTPs Should Not Report Patient Information to PDMPs, But Should Use PDMPs For Patient Care
Research Results: Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Help Reduce Opioid-Related Deaths
On July 14 Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), along with Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Angus King (I-ME), introduced the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act, to require all states that receive certain federal funding to make their program data available to other states. The bill was introduced just after the Senate passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), to help combat … [Read more...] about Research Results: Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Help Reduce Opioid-Related Deaths
