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As the opioid crisis continues, opioid treatment programs (OTPs) are going to face big challenges in the workforce, experts say. “We’re going to face a lack of access, even in areas where there are a lot of programs,” said Zachary C. Talbott, a certified MAT advocate and member of the national board of directors of NAMA Recovery. Mr. Talbott owned and operated Counseling … [Read more...] about Challenges to Hiring and Retaining Good Workers in OTPs

This summer, Bay Area Addiction Research and Treatment (BAART) sued the city of Concord, California after a three-year effort to site its methadone clinic there. Amitai Schwartz represented BAART and BAART’s owner, BayMark Health Services. It is a classic case; everything seemed to be moving forward (with some hitches, of course), and after a few years a site was located. Then … [Read more...] about BAART Sues California City Over NIMBY Blocking Of Clinic

Under federal law, newly enrolled methadone patients must attend a methadone program six days a week, so caregivers can watch as patients are dosed. But here’s the problem: Because many new methadone patients don’t have an opioid treatment program (OTP) nearby, this need for daily attendance markedly affects adherence. In fact, 20% to 50% of patients report poor or partial … [Read more...] about Study: Lack of Nearby OTPs Puts Methadone Patients at  Risk of Early Death

California technically doesn’t have waiting lists for opioid treatment programs (OTPs). When a program is full, the operator can ask the state for an increase in slots. If the request is granted—and it usually is—the program then pays for the extra slots in a new license. This flexibility is very helpful to OTP providers. “We adjust our capacity up or down each year,” said … [Read more...] about Expanding OTP Access In California, Where Waiting Lists Are Not Used