NAMA Recovery Calls on Federal and State Officials to Help Patients Get Medication During Tropical Storm Barry

National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery

Press Release

Contacts Persons: 

Joycelyn Woods, Executive Director, edirector@methadone.org

Phone/Fax: 1 212-595-NAMA (1-212-595-6262)

For Release

July 11, 2019

NAMA Recovery and our chapters have begun to receive calls and messages from Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) patients in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Barry. 

The majority of clinics are giving medication through Sunday, July 14, 2019 when weather reports are predicting severe flooding following the storm. Patients are reporting that they are not being given medication because they cannot pay for it.

There are some clinics that are already experiencing flooding in the surrounding areas making it impossible to get there.

The Southeastern NAMA-R Chapter is in ongoing Communication with Louisiana and surrounding state authorities, and they are welcome to reach out to us and watch our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NAMARecoverywww.facebook.com/NAMARecovery if they have any questions or need support.  (Or our Southeast Chapter https://www.facebook.com/groups/NAMARecoveryTN/

This should not be a repeat of Katrina when every clinic is the New Orleans area was flooded and patients were not able to get medication for a week or more.

This is the responsibility of the Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Veterans Administration (VA) and state agencies to have disaster plans in place for when emergencies occur.  (The SAMHSA Disaster App is not working giving the message that it is downloading information and then tells you to try back later. In a disaster you can’t try back later.) It appears that the New Orleans area may again have a disaster in the making that could have been avoided if agencies had come up with a solution following the Katrina disaster.

 RE: Clinic Information About Tropical Storm Barry in New Orleans Area

Date:  7/11/2019

This is the latest information we have on New Orleans clinics. It is from NASADAD’s Disaster Preparedness List.  Please check for updates on our FaceBook Page  https://www.facebook.com/NAMARecovery .   Or our Southeast Chapter     https://www.facebook.com/groups/NAMARecoveryTN/

BHG Lake Charles:  Open today & giving take home doses for Friday and Saturday.

BHG Downtown New Orleans:  Expected water by this afternoon because every street near them has flooded (see media).  WDSU (local television station) has let their employees leave.

BHG Greta:  Expected water this afternoon.

BAART Breau Bridge:  Regular hours today & Friday issuing take home doses. Closed Saturday & Sunday.

Acadiana Baton Rouge:  Today until 11 am, Friday 5:15 – 8 am, Sat 6:30 – 8 (this clinic didn’t flood in 2016 but was surrounded by water).

Centers for Behavioral Health Monroe & Shreveport:  Supportive role for guest doses at their clinics & have been advised of possibility of shelters.

Choices all 3 clinics (Alexandria, LaPlace & Hammond):  Extended hours today (7/11/19) & all 3 clinics open tomorrow until 10 am.  Saturday will assess. Alexandria Saturday 7-9 am. (LaPlace & Hammond didn’t flood in 2016).  All 3 of Choices clinics have industrial generators.

NAMA-R has received reports that some clinics are not giving patient’s emergency medication unless they pay for it.  Barry seems to be picking up strength and may become a Hurricane 1 storm. There is also severe flooding expected after and it seems reasonable to get medication through Tuesday, 7/16/19.