The federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has published its long-awaited proposal for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to deliver methadone via mobile units, bringing the medication to patients in more convenient locations. The DEA refers to OTPs as “Narcotic Treatment Programs” (NTPs). Under the proposal, OTPs/NTPs don’t need to get a separate registration to … [Read more...] about DEA Proposes Mobile Methadone at Last
Explaining Quality of Care in New Jersey, as State Looks at More Regulations for OBOTs
“We’re penalized because we’re so highly regulated and there is little or no oversight over office-based opioid treatment.” This is Margaret B. Rizzo, executive director of JSAS HealthCare, an opioid treatment program (OTP) based in Neptune, New Jersey. But it could be almost anyone in the OTP world. In New Jersey, however, OTPs have provided a lot of input into new regulations … [Read more...] about Explaining Quality of Care in New Jersey, as State Looks at More Regulations for OBOTs
Surprise Speaker at NYSAM Focuses on Advantages of Comprehensive Care
The surprise speaker was Mark W. Parrino, MPA, president of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD). And he was standing in for Rep. Paul Tonko (D-New York), who couldn’t make it to the New York Society of Addiction Medicine (NYSAM) meeting on February 7. It was surprising for this reason: the two men are on opposite poles when it comes to … [Read more...] about Surprise Speaker at NYSAM Focuses on Advantages of Comprehensive Care
Introducing Steve Woolworth, New Evergreen CEO
Steve Woolworth, PhD, the new CEO of Evergreen Treatment Services, has big shoes to fill. Molly Carney, the longtime CEO, is retiring, and Dr. Woolworth—at the helm of the Seattle, Washington-based opioid treatment program (OTP) for only six weeks when we interviewed him in February, was humble about his familiarity with the controversies of the day, such as the move to “x the … [Read more...] about Introducing Steve Woolworth, New Evergreen CEO
Three Separate Programs Under One OTP Umbrella at Behavioral Health Group
In Colorado, some opioid treatment programs (OTPs) governed by federal methadone regulations are combining the office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) protocol with OTP. This means that the patients in the OBOT program in the OTP can get a prescription for buprenorphine right away—just as if they went to a prescribing provider in the community. In Colorado, some opioid … [Read more...] about Three Separate Programs Under One OTP Umbrella at Behavioral Health Group