STOP METHADONE IGNORANCE

National Alliance of Methadone Advocates
Press Release
Contact Person: Joycelyn Woods, President


For Release:
March 10, 2007



It is not uncommon for individuals with a long history of illicit opiate use to remain in methadone treatment as a long term patient. Many often say that without methadone treatment they would probably be dead. Other forms of treatment were not effective and they had come to believe that they would die an "addict". Numerous studies have demonstrated that the majority of persons who leave methadone treatment revert to illicit heroin or other opioid use in relatively short time though of course there are exceptions.



NIDA and NIH considers "addiction" as a chronic relapsing brain disorder. A full text article, The Neurobiology of Addictive Behaviors and its Relationship to Methadone Maintenance by Stimmel and Kreek is available from, http://www.mssm.edu/msjournal/67/page375_380.pdf



You get an excellent idea of the benefits of methadone maintenance by visiting a petition web site that was recently established by NAMA to counter anti-methadone groups trying to restrict this valuable therapy. Read the patient reports on the petition and you will get a significant understanding of the benefits to the patients of this form of therapy.



However recently there have been an increase in methadone overdose deaths attributed to an increase in prescribing methadone for pain medication. Also methadone has been in the media recently adding to the fervor and sensationalism.



The change in regulations created a more realistic situation for both programs and patients seeking recovery. However recently several sensational websites are promoting stricter regulations on methadone treatment in an effort to end the increase overdose deaths. These measures will be ineffective as most of the deaths are due to a number of factors including mishandling of medication. In an effort to protect our life saving treatment and to make methadone safer for pain management NAMA recommends education rather than restrictions.



We are also asking patients and their families to sign a petition "Methadone Patients Against Hysteria and Further Restrictions". The petition in brief, reads as follows:



We are Methadone Patients, Providers, Families and Friends AGAINST the Hysteria which is calling for Further Restrictions on the Prescribing of Methadone."
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/360731625

NAMA Announces NAMA NorCal's House Party Rokki's Education Party for HBO's Addition Special

National Alliance of Methadone Advocates
Press Release



Contact(s):
Rokki Baker, CMA, NAMA Vice President and NAMA NorCal Director
bluelady16.1@netzero.net
Joycelyn Woods, President
nama.president@Verizon.net



For Release:
March 5, 2007


All across the country people are coming together to watch and discuss the new HBO series, ADDICTION. Americans will be coming together to discuss what needs o happen in their communities to make alcohol, drug treatment and recovery support available and show the power of long-term recovery. For to long patients in medicated assisted treatment (MAT) have not thought of themselves as being in recovery and it is time to change. Join NAMA NorCal for Rokki's Education to discuss MAT and recovery and ways to introduce it to the MAT community. This is our opportunity to be counted.

What is HBO's ADDICTION Project

The documentary, ADDICTION, examines recent advancements in research and effective new treatments. It demonstrates that treatment and recovery is possible. And it is positive to MAT by emphasizing that addiction is a brain disease.

ADDICTION is a series of four programs that premieres from Thursday, March 15, to Sunday, March 18. In participating cable systems it will be free for the weekend.

NAMA NorCal will host an ADDICTION ACTION House Party.

When: 03/16/07 04:00 PM

Where: NAMA-NorCal
3400 Portola Drive #A2
Santa Cruz, California

RSVP: Guestlist

Contact Organizer: Roxanne Baker

Click here for a complete series broadcast schedule.
http://www.addictionaction.org/watch/broadcast.html

Visit Addiction Action.
http://www.addictionaction.org/

Visit NAMA website.
http://www.methadone.org/


Together, we can make a difference.