Methadone: A Flicker Of Light In The Dark
Methadone: A Flicker Of Light In The Dark
Methadone: A Flicker Of Light In The Dark
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Methadone: A Flicker Of Light In The Dark

To provide a better understanding of the very important role methadone plays in the treatment of addiction.
 
HomeHome  PortalPortal  GalleryGallery  Latest imagesLatest images  RegisterRegister  Log inLog in  

 

 Attention! Methadone Patients! No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes

Go down 
+2
llp
Admin
6 posters
AuthorMessage
Admin
Admin



Female
Number of posts : 51
Age : 65
Location : Vermont
Registration date : 2009-03-05

Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Empty
PostSubject: Attention! Methadone Patients! No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes   Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes EmptyTue May 19, 2009 8:18 pm

From The Administrator:

The Bill has not been passed yet. I need all of you to write your Senators and Congressmen to let them know you are not in favor of this bill. Please read it carefully but note what I have outlined in red and the part I have underlined. They are wanting to stop all 40mg Diskette-TakeHomes. You know what it means- we will be coming every day to dose unless they give all of us on diskettes, liquid takehomes.


Last year they stopped all Pain Management physicians from dispensing 40-mg diskettes and the retail pharmacies do not even carry them. Now they are trying to stop the Opiate Treatment Centers from dispensing them as Take-Home Doses . The only way they will be dispensing them is if you dose every day and with the price of gas who among us can dose each day and who among us would want to dose every day?


I don't know about you but I have a life and it is very expensive having to drive to the Opiate Treatment Program to dose each day and then go to work . Most of us are having problems even affording the methadone much less the gas and maintenance it takes to keep up the vehicles we drive and it would mean much longer lines and it is just not right! Please if you do care make sure your clinic knows about this bill they are trying to pass silently hoping we will not take notice. The Opiate Treatment Programs certainly need to be jumping on the band wagon against it and making their feelings known.


It is time to act people unless you want to be dosing each day . I suppose we could get liquid take-homes but they ... They do not remain stable if you are receiving monthly take-homes. I've done my duty and notified all of you and I will be posting it on

http://www.MedicalAssistedTreatment.org

for all the people visiting. If you have a printer and can afford to print out some copies then please do and take them to your Opiate Treatment Program and distribute them to patients who may not possess a computer as I did today.


Thank You.


New Bipartisan Bill Targets Deaths Related to Methadone

Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Index10
In response to the GAO Report on methadone-associated deaths, U.S. Senators John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), and Bob Corker (R-TN), introduced the Methadone Treatment and Protection Act of 2009 legislation to reduce the number of methadone and other opioid-related deaths by improving federal oversight, requiring both practitioner and patient education, and creating a uniform reporting system for opioid-related deaths. The proposed legislation identifies four problem areas and suggested solutions.

LACK OF EDUCATION
Provider Education




  • Proposed Change: Require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a mandatory and comprehensive practitioner education program for methadone and other opioids. Completion of this education program will be required as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) current registration process used to authorize practitioners to prescribe, dispense and administer controlled substances.

Consumer Education




  • Proposed Change: Provide competitive grants to states and non-profit community organizations to distribute culturally sensitive educational materials about proper methadone usage. Priority will be given to applicants with a high incidence of methadone abuse and methadone-related deaths in their state.

INADEQUATE FEDERAL OVERSIGHT
Controlled Substances Clinical Standards Commission




  • Proposed Change: Create the Controlled Substances Clinical Standards Commission to establish patient education standards, appropriate and safe dosing standards for all forms of methadone, benchmark standards for the reduction of methadone abuse, appropriate conversion factors for transition patients from one opioid to another, and guidelines for the initiation of methadone for pain management.

National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act (NASPER)




  • Proposed Change: This legislation would appropriate $25 million a year for NASPER to establish interoperable prescription drug monitoring programs within each state.

NO UNIFORM REPORTING SYSTEM FOR METHADONE-RELATED DEATHS
National Opioid Death Registry




  • Proposed Change: Create a National Opioid Death Registry to track all opioid-related deaths and related information. Also, establish a standard form for medical examiners to fill out which would include information for the National Opioid Death Registry.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS


  • Improving Patient Safety: Opioid treatment programs will be required by law to make acceptable alternative arrangements for the safe distribution of methadone for patients who are not permitted take home doses on days where the clinic is closed.



  • Moratorium on 40-mg Methadone Diskettes: For two years, no provider may prescribe and no pharmacy or opioid treatment clinic may distribute 40-mg methadone diskettes unless the prescription or dispensation is consistent with DEA policy. Absolutely no 40-mg methadone diskettes can be distributed as a take-home dose.



  • Annual Report on Effectiveness: No later than September 30, 2010 the Secretary will report to Congress the effectiveness and evaluate the success of efforts to reduce opioid addiction and methadone-related deaths including the impact of health care provider and patient education.

A detailed summary of the Methadone Treatment and Protection Act of 2009 can be accessed at: http://corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Files.View&FileStore_id=bfdff477-2b11-471c-99e9-07367c1a5bbf >

Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes New08


Last edited by Dee on Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:06 pm; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : Delete word.)
Back to top Go down
llp




Female
Number of posts : 2
Location : Georgia
Registration date : 2009-05-16

Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Empty
PostSubject: Re: Attention! Methadone Patients! No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes   Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes EmptyTue May 19, 2009 8:58 pm

Thanks for making us aware of this bill. I have printed out a copy and will be taking to my clinic tomorrow to see what they have to say about it.
Back to top Go down
lilgirllost
Admin
lilgirllost


Female
Number of posts : 863
Age : 51
Location : live in Louisiana but attend MMT clinic in Tx
Job/hobbies : COUPONING & GEOCACHING are my favorite past times but I also love reading and spending time with my husband and kids
Humor : I don't have a sense of humor.............
Registration date : 2009-05-25

Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Empty
PostSubject: I'm once a mth & have taken home the 40mg diskettes for over 6 yrs now   Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes EmptyMon May 25, 2009 11:10 am

I have been a once a month client now for over 4 yrs and before that I was every two weeks and I have been bringing home the 40mg diskettes now for all this time. No one at my clinic has said anything about this change either. wonder what's up with that?
Back to top Go down
Admin
Admin



Female
Number of posts : 51
Age : 65
Location : Vermont
Registration date : 2009-03-05

Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Empty
PostSubject: Reply To lilgirllost   Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes EmptyWed Jun 17, 2009 8:01 pm

From your administrator:

Yes, there are many of us who have been on monthly take-homes with the 40mg diskettes and I am sure the owner of your clinic may be aware but possibly is not.

I brought in copies to the one I attend and I gave one to the Doctor, Director and Dosing Nurse in the Pharmacy and my Counselor and none of them were even aware of the legislation being proposed. Many times if they do know they don't usually share the information with the patients and if you don't know where to look for the information then you may never even know about it.
It hasn't passed yet so I wouldn't get too worried but I would mention it to as many patients as you can and certainly bring it to your counselor's attention. I know I don't want to switch to liquid take-homes but in my opinion, I don't think they will be able to pass that part of the bill.
We checked with the manufacturers of methadone, Roxane and Mallinckrodt and they are both aware of the legislation and have lawyers working on it. They have already stopped the Pain Management doctors from prescribing the 40mg diskettes and if they stop the OTPs then they really hurt the makers of the diskettes. I don't think they will stand for it as neither do I think the Opiate Treatment Programs will stand for it. I just try and keep all of you up to date on what is happening and believe me they always try to sneak the legislation through if they can attached to another bill.
If any of you hear any information that you believe is important then you need to bring it to all of our attention. It is why we have the forum and I try to keep you up-to-date and we will answer any questions you have about your rights and we are here to help one another fight the discrimination and stigma which still exists with methadone. It still exists from ignorance and we need to educate others about it but you need to be educated on every aspect of it as a patient to educate others about it. This has been my goal for many years and I started by constructing a website to inform you all about methadone in 2004 and I am in the process of updating it and giving you a new website with up-to-date information and I am hoping to be finished with it by the end of the year.
There are many organizations fighting against methadone and I am sure many of you may not know about this because they were not any in existence until all the deaths started occurring and then of course, they blamed methadone for their children's deaths which I can understand their pain and anger but to take methadone away form those of us who take it for pain and/or addiction is totally wrong and if you don't stay on the computer and reads all the articles posted on methadone, (news articles) and read the feedback from these organizations you would not be aware of them.
We have patients who work with us who try and post feedback to these articles each time these other organizatons posting - I have trouble finsing patients to even help counteract their feedback but they have much more money to fight the issues thean we have and much more dedicated people because they have lost loved ones to methadone and they are totally serious about stopping all of our take-homes if they can't get the drug done away with altogether.
I realize many of you work and have children to support and really don't have much time to spend replying to news articles to counteract what they write but I do know some of you really could use some of your time to advocate on our behalf if you do nothing but share on how methadone has helped you. I can take your storied from there and use them to send to Washington on our behalf to let them know, methadone is saving many lives. I spend many hours every week working behind the scenes on your behalf and it doesn't take long for you to share on this forum or the website what methadone has done for you. Any of you that can help me out, I would really appreciate it because we need to get as serious as they are about our methadone. confused How about it?
If you doubt what I am saying to you, check out the organization below when you have sonme free time:
http://www.harmd.org
Then, please I beg of you to take any interest in your methadone and share what is has done for you on my website, which is yours too,under "What's Your Story?" http://www.MedicalAssistedTreatment.org
If any of you are having any problems with your MMTPs, then please share with the all the others, they need to know about the one you attend therefore if they live in your area they will choose another one to attend. I have given you an outlet to share about your MMTPs and you don't eve have to leave your name but you need to leave the name of the program you attend and the town and state. I do send these to CSAT/SAMHSA at he end of each year but you need many complaints about the one you attend from different patients before they will even investigate therefore, if you truly are having problems with yours, tell all of us about it and let your friends or other patients know about the website and ask them to please take some of their time if they do not like the way they are treated and tell about it for you need as many complaints on the same MMTP as you can acquire. If they are many of them -they will investigate. It is on my website and you can share with us about yours on "Rate Your Program?"
Thanks for responding and I am hoping all of you will take some time to get involved. We do need as many patients as we can acquire to stand up and speak out about how methadone changed your life for the better and we need it now more than ever.
Thank all of you for joining and if you have any comments about how we can me the forum more interesting and what subjects you would like to hear about, we will work hard to provide what you need. Send any comments or suggestions to me at MATDirector@aol.com
Back to top Go down
Guest
Guest




Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Empty
PostSubject: Re: Attention! Methadone Patients! No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes   Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes EmptyFri Jun 19, 2009 5:55 am

hey deborah!
this is cat. do these organizations honestly believe that the 40mg diskettes are to blame for deaths. i think the responsibility of people who use the methadone is the core issue. obviously drugs, any drugs, can be deadly in the wrong hands. but whats really scary is why havent they made alcohol illegal? way more people die because of it & what it does to people who abuse it or drive under its influence but no one is trying to ban it. this is just a punishment for us "druggies". a way they can try & break us down. i feel for these people who have lost loved ones due to methadone abuse, but what about those of us who dont abuse it? we have done no wrong. why do they want to hurt us? many of us cant get along w/out our methadone so we would never even entertain the idea of selling it to someone who might abuse it.
thanks for the heads up!
cat
Back to top Go down
Admin
Admin



Female
Number of posts : 51
Age : 65
Location : Vermont
Registration date : 2009-03-05

Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Empty
PostSubject: Hello, CAT   Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes EmptyFri Jun 19, 2009 10:33 pm

Hello, Catherine:Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Gmfrom10

How are things at your Castle?
I am so sorry I didn't call you the other night but we had one emergency after the
other. I laid down and was going to watch a movie with Dean and I didn't wake up until the next morning around 11:00 AM. How can you ever forgive me? I am truly sorry Catherine and I am going to find some way to make it up to you.

I've had to work to catch up since then and you didn't call therefore I am hoping all went well. I have a lot to catch up on tonight and I am not sure whether it is alright to give you a call and check up on you. Please do call me if you need to talk ...please never hesitate even if it is 3:00AM in the morning. How did it go with Dr. T?
Yes, they are trying to stop or hinder us from receiving our methadone and it is beginning to heat up behind the scenes. They stopped the pain medication practitioners from dispensing the 40mg diskettes and now they believe if they get them off the street there won't be as much diversion but we all know better. I just wish I could open everyone's eyes who take methadone before it is too late ...for we are not making any progress...we are going backwards.
I want you to know I had some words with my partner and I do want to apologize to you because of what He said to you. You had every right to be upset and we all make mistakes and He makes them too. I had to remind Him you weren't quite as old as we are and it is true you live and learn . My only regret is that I couldn't drop everything and come and get you and spend the day with you. I hope to have more time soon and I do want to spend some time with you.
I want you to let me know if she is a member on here because if she is after what she did to you, I really need to ban her. I know others may not know what we are discussing but you and I do and you were only quilty of giving people second chances and I am quilty of giving them more then second chances. It is up to you if you want to share with the members are keep it personal but I am sure they will be there for you if you reach out to them especially Dee.
Dee and I both know what it is like to be done wrong and to go through a miscarriage at the same time and then I'm not here for you that night but Dean was on my butt about spending too much time with all the patients and He wouldn't mind as much if we weren't so far behind. I had words with Him over you and others and when my friends are in need - I feel like we should be able to give them some of our time.
I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and I wanted to apologize because I couldn't spend the time I needed with you but you can always call me and don't let it bother you if you need to call. Dean takes calls all hours of the night from patients and if you meed me then you are welcome to call me.
Have you checked out http://www.harmd.org? What do you think of their organization? You take some time for yourself now but later check it out and know I will always be there for you. I would like to know what you think of them?
If you get bored or need to get your mind off your own problems, feel free to jump in and help Dee out on the forum. We could certainly use you and would love for you to help but I know you have two children and a husband to take care of and I know it keeps you busy. It helps get your mind off your problems.
Remember, I care about you. I will do my best to check on you this weekend. If I miss you, you will be in my prayers and call me if you need anything? Leave me a message and I will call you back.
Your Sister In Recovery,
Deborah Shrira
P.S. I see you did share what happened to you and I am glad. You need to let others know there are people like her waiting to take advantage of a trusting soul. I can promise we do have some members who can reach out to you and I am praying others will start opening up because many of us have problems we need support and encouragement from each other to continue on in the fight. Catherine had her methadone stolen (two bottles at 180 mg) from supposedly a friend she has helped alot and given her money, rides and stood up for her where we attend and she could use some help and support from all of you. It happens to the best of us and it is not easy to let it go.
Back to top Go down
olddavid




Male
Number of posts : 5
Location : Otis, Oregon
Registration date : 2009-12-01

Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Empty
PostSubject: Re: Attention! Methadone Patients! No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes   Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes EmptyThu Dec 03, 2009 12:27 pm

At the abysmal CRC Allied clinic I attend, they unilaterally discontinued discs to anyone, regardless of whether you came in weekly or bi- weekly or monthly. Knowing the corporate mindset of these people, I have to assume that they are saving money in some way. That is the only motivation of this mindless company. Their previous policy was to offer them to anyone who got six take-outs, or more, at a time. What I cannot get my mind around is the ignorance of these lawmakers. Methadone has been "outed" and codified in Oregon as a cheap and effective alternative to Oxy and MS Contin. The Oregon Health Plan actually demands that it be prescribed in chronic pain cases to keep costs down. Now, if X is the amount of Rx's written in 2000, and 1000x is the current amount, shouldn't it follow that the incidence of overdose will rise accordingly? This drug should be hailed for its analgesic properties at a pennies per dose cost, not demonized because physicians have yet to learn the proper way to prescribe. This is probably more about money, as methadone is in the public domain, while all the other "wonder drugs" (fentanyl, the oxy twins, and any hydrocodone) are still under patent protection and therefore making somebody some serious, and exclusive, profits. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised in a country that assumes the moral high ground, yet cannot even find the backbone to grant its' own citizens the right to medical care. The journalists old adage of "follow the money" is probably the beginning and end of this thread. This whole morass is wrong on so many levels that it overwhelms my ability to understand it. I guess that is just the way they want it, yes? We will be the first generation in a century to leave our children a declining standard of living. We, as a society, have truly lost our way.
Back to top Go down
Den

Den


Male
Number of posts : 68
Age : 49
Location : Украина
Job/hobbies : нет
Registration date : 2011-02-05

Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Empty
PostSubject: Re: Attention! Methadone Patients! No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes   Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes EmptyWed Feb 09, 2011 7:44 am

** Moderator added the translation in red

Дебора День Добрый!Вот хочу если интересно посмотреть сайт нашей организации .И почитать о том,что и как делается у нас в стране и какие проблемы есть у нас в Украине.И я очень надеюсь на взаимовыручку между нами.У нас в стране тоже хватает проблем подобных вашим но всё ровно их у нас больше так может в месте решим их по мере возможности!С уважением Ден.http://astau.org.ua/


**Deborah Good Day! "I just want to see the site if you're interested in our organization. And read about what is done in our country and what problems we have in Ukraine.I I look forward to mutual aid between nami.U our country also lacks Problems like yours but it was all smooth them with us anymore so may decide to place them as soon as possible! Yours Den. http://astau.org.ua/
Back to top Go down
http://<a href="http://www.twitter.com/KordenRuf"&a
Digmon

Digmon


Male
Number of posts : 17
Age : 43
Location : South East Virginia
Job/hobbies : sport photography / football / basketball / fishing / anything outside
Registration date : 2011-04-05

Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Empty
PostSubject: Re: Attention! Methadone Patients! No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes   Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes EmptyWed Apr 06, 2011 12:55 pm

I was told by somebody the reason why pharmacies stop caring the 40mg methadone because then ppl would get the 10mg pills, 4times as many pill and that would put there number of pills way over the Limit covered by insurance. So the insurance wouldn't have to pay for them anymore saving them money and the pharmacy would make more with more ppl having to pay out of pocket. I'm not sure how true this is but I was told by someone working for CVS. I'm just glad methadone clinics are still able to carry them.


Last edited by Digimon81 on Wed Apr 06, 2011 8:17 pm; edited 2 times in total
Back to top Go down
lilgirllost
Admin
lilgirllost


Female
Number of posts : 863
Age : 51
Location : live in Louisiana but attend MMT clinic in Tx
Job/hobbies : COUPONING & GEOCACHING are my favorite past times but I also love reading and spending time with my husband and kids
Humor : I don't have a sense of humor.............
Registration date : 2009-05-25

Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Empty
PostSubject: Re: Attention! Methadone Patients! No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes   Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes EmptyWed Apr 06, 2011 3:02 pm

My understanding is that only approved addiction facilities (methadone clinics) are allowed to carry the 40mg diskettes anymore. Pharmacies are not allowed to carry these any longer, they have to use the 5mg and 10mg pills.
Back to top Go down
Sponsored content





Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Empty
PostSubject: Re: Attention! Methadone Patients! No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes   Attention! Methadone Patients!  No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes Empty

Back to top Go down
 
Attention! Methadone Patients! No more 40mg Diskette Take-Homes
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1
 Similar topics
-
» Methadone Patients Against Hysteria And Further Restrictions
» methadone clinic cuts 2 dozen patients
» College to audit doctors' prescribing practices as Number of Patients on Methadone Triple......
» LISA MOJER TORRES: We say good bye to a very beneficial person who helped fight for our rights as methadone patients.
» Methadone Patients: "Help Preserve Our Rights To Drive"

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Methadone: A Flicker Of Light In The Dark :: Forum News :: Announcements, Events and Breaking News-
Jump to: