Pharmacy-based methadone dispensing and drive time to methadone treatment in five states within the United States: A cross-sectional study

There is a shortage in opioid treatment programs (OTPs), which are facilities that dispense methadone to treat opioid use disorder, across the United States. This study looks at the drive time between an OTP and a pharmacy, to see if offering methadone in a pharmacy would result in better access to medication. The five states that were looked at include Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. Findings included that, on average, drive time to OTPs was greater than drive time to a pharmacy. This was especially true in more rural census tracts. Methadone access could be increased if there was an implementation of pharmacy-based methadone dispensing in the five states where the study took place.

Management of opioid misuse and opioid use disorders among youth

Due to the growing impact of the current opioid public health crisis in the United States on adolescents and young adults, pediatricians have an expanding role in a variety of ways. This includes identifying opioid use early, preventing escalation of risky use, reducing opioid-related harms, and delivering effective therapies. Research and expert consensus suggest the use of brief interventions focused on reducing risks associated with ongoing opioid use and using motivational interviewing strategies to engage youth in treatment. Delivering overdose education is one evidence-based strategy to decrease the burden of opioid-related mortality. For youth that are injecting opioids, safe injection practices and linkage to needle or syringe exchanges should be considered to reduce complications from injection drug use.

It is crucial that youth be offered treatment at the time of diagnosis of an opioid use disorder (OUD), including medications, behavioral interventions, and/or referral to mutual support groups. The 2 medications commonly used for office-based OUD treatment in adolescents are extended-release naltrexone (opioid antagonist) and buprenorphine (partial opioid agonist), however there is a significant treatment gap in prescribing these medications to youth, especially adolescents <18 years of age. Addiction is a pediatric disease that pediatricians and adolescent medicine physicians are uniquely poised to manage, given their expertise in longitudinal, preventive, and family- and patient-centered care. Growing evidence supports the need for integration of OUD treatment into primary care.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Recovery from Substance Use Disorders and Homelessness

1:00-2:15 p.m. EDT, Thursday, May 14th

This SAMSHA webinar focuses on the unique challenges faces by those who have a substance abuse disorder and are experiencing homelessness. People who have experience dealing with both of these issues will share their stories in order to provide their perspectives on what the most helpful services were in propelling them towards their goals of no longer being homeless and drug-free. 

To register for this webinar, click here.

Opioid Overdose Prevention Messaging for Veterans

2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, May 19th

The Opioid Research Exchange, a division of the CDC, is hosting a training webinar to discuss effective ways to communicate with veterans about opioid overdose, with a focus on prevention. This webinar will feature guests speakers from Veteran Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and Veterans Affairs Washington D.C. Medical Center on how to reach the veteran population. 

For more information and resources, please click here to view the ORE's website. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act: SUD and Eliminating Barriers to Treatment and Recovery

3:00-4:30 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, May 27th

Many individuals in recovery from addiction are unaware of their civil rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This presentation will provide information on the ADA and how it applies to individuals in treatment for or recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). The presentation will provide examples of instances when a person is covered under the ADA and how healthcare providers, advocates, attorneys, and others can support their client or patient’s ADA rights.

To register for this webinar, click here.

Your input matters: Follow-up survey on COVID-19 business impacts

From ISMA’s previous COVID-19 Physician Business Impact Survey, it was found that about 50% of members had applied for the Paycheck Protection Program and another 25% were likely to apply to that program or others for coronavirus relief funds. ISMA has asked that you please complete this very brief follow-up survey to help them assess how many practices succeeded in obtaining Covid-19 emergency funding and their plans for the future of their practice. 

To complete the survey, click here.