NCJ Number
212436
Journal
Journal of Maintenance in the Addictions Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 13-27
Date Published
2004
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article presents a case study of the response of methadone clinics in New York following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Abstract
Four methadone clinics in the vicinity of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York were forced to close for up to 2 weeks, leaving their patients without medication and services. Five receiving clinics opened their doors to the displaced patients, offering medications and services for up to 2 ½ weeks. This case study offers a documentation of how the patients and clinics responded as well as the lessons learned from their experiences. Interviews were conducted with patients, administrators, and staff from the affected clinics with a focus on the impact of the clinic closures on patients, staff, and clinic operations and the effectiveness of emergency planning. The overall findings indicated that the upheaval in clinic operations was short-lived and minor. The responding clinics voiced problems with verifying patient dosage, which is required before medication can be dispensed. All respondents reported obstacles to accessing services or information due to the displacement; some believed these problems were due to unsympathetic attitudes toward methadone treatment. Lessons learned are discussed and recommendations for opioid treatment program disaster plans are offered, including the recommendation to train treatment staff on how to address posttraumatic stress in their patients. Table, notes, references