An article “Drug treatment put at $80 million” relates: “A state audit shows that taxpayers shelled out nearly $50 million in 2009 to supply methadone to thousands of people on public assistance and more than $32 million to transport them to clinics…
“Tom Plaitano, an attorney who owns Medtech Rehabilitation, a Hempfield clinic where 400 people receive methadone daily, said he agrees with Ward that reforms in the program are needed — especially in transportation. But his primary solution is to have more clinics…
“’There are 67 counties, and there’s only 28 counties that actually have clinics,’ Plaitano said…
“ ‘Methadone remains the best way to treat opioid addicts’, Plaitano said.”
WATCHDOG: Methadone may well be the best approach for many addict, especially those of long term duration. However, Buprenorphine, which can be prescribed by specially trained doctors and supplied by pharmacies, works as well, and in many cases better for many addicts, especially young people.
A state and federally approved study conducted five years ago here in Lancaster County indicated that a significant percentage of methadone patients could be better treated outside of the clinic, thus reducing travel time and costs.
Below is a relevant article from 11/20/07
At the annual year-end dinner of the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Dr. Samuel Rice spoke about heroin and opioid addictions and the need to reduce addicts’ dependence on these substances in a humane and responsible way, including permitting them the use of synthetic opioid treatments such as methadone, which allow the patient to consume the substance in a more regulated way while also assisting in breaking the chemical addiction.Dr. Rice was instrumental in bringing a detoxification hospital to Lancaster and continues to work as the Medical Director of the White Deer Run rehabilitation clinic, which has a Lancaster branch.
“Before we had a methadone clinic in Lancaster, addicts were driving daily to Coatesville to get their fixes, Dr. Rice said, arguing that it is inhumane to essentially force people to do this. “There are many people dying because they don’t have medication-assisted treatments.”
“I think there’s too much stigma and too much red tape associated with methadone,” Rice continued.
The bulk of Dr. Rice’s speech, however, was devoted to talking about the success of a newer drug, similar to Methadone, called Suboxone or buprenorphine.
Suboxone, Dr. Rice explained, was specifically developed for opioid addiction, and is less addictive than its predecessor.
Dr. Rice highlighted a number of studies in which the drug was very successful. “In one study, 75% of those who received buprenorphine versus a placebo were retained at one year. No one in the placebo group was retained.” “In another study, 80% of those with counseling and Suboxone were retained.”
Suboxone is also unique in that it is available at the pharmacy with a prescription from any doctor who has been certified, which only requires a small amount of training.
Rice spoke of the need to get beyond stereotypes when it comes to heroin and opioid addictions. “Not everybody who’s on Suboxone is necessarily a heroin addict who’s in the gutter, although I see a lot of those patients too.”
“I have a patient who is an international business executive who was an addict for 20 years who had repeatedly relapsed and finally came to see me.” With the help of Suboxone, Rice continued, “he’s doing much better now. He travels everywhere and takes his Suboxone with him.”
“Lancaster is extremely fortunate that we have Rick Kastner and are able to provide many of the services that we do,” Rice said.
The purpose of the event was “to thank the Commission staff and the drug and alcohol treatment providers” with whom the Commission partners, explained Executive Director Rick Kastner.
Kastner said that the Drug and Alcohol Commission has contracted with Ganse Apothecary to provide Suboxone “to at least 15 clients for whom we can afford to provide the treatment.”
Kastner added, “We see a lot of heroin addicts come in and out of hospitals and clinics. They never seem to be able to get out of that revolving door.”
Rice was presented the Professional Service Award for his 30 years of service, particularly in the area of addiction medicine.
Approximately 45 persons were in attendance at the dinner held at Millersville University, including County Commissioners Dick Shellenberger and Sharon Nelson.
