Rules and Regulations
Schenectady adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, as outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).
Certification Procedures
- Staff must meet educational and licensing requirements
- Regular inspections are conducted to ensure compliance
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Improves patient survival
- Increases retention in treatment
- Decreases illicit opiate use and other criminal activity
- Increases ability to gain and maintain employment
- Improves birth outcomes among pregnant women with substance use disorders
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Clinics provide methadone and other medications to treat opioid addiction. The medications relieve withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings that cause chemical imbalances in the body. The clinics offer counseling and behavioral therapies to support patients in their recovery.
Insurance Coverage
- Medicaid covers methadone treatment
- Some private insurance plans cover treatment
- Grants help fund clinics providing services to uninsured and underinsured patients
Drug Use in Schenectady
- In 2017, the opioid crisis was declared a nationwide public health emergency in the United States. This has impacted many communities, including Schenectady.
- In Schenectady County, there were approx 100 drug overdose deaths in 2021
- The most commonly used substances in Schenectady are alcohol, marijuana, prescription opioids, heroin, and cocaine
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Patients reside at the facility 24/7 for the duration of the program, typically 30-90 days
- Services include medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management
Outpatient Treatment
- Patients attend structured programming at the facility up to 7 days a week for 2-4 hours a day
- Services provided onsite including counseling, group meetings, medication management
Treatment Level Unreported
- An estimated 10-15% of patients do not report the type of treatment program
- Likely a mix of inpatient, outpatient, and residential services
Comparison of Treatment in Schenectady vs. Albany
| Category | Schenectady | Albany |
| Treatment Facilities | 15 | 25 |
| Inpatient Beds | 300 | 500 |
| Cost of Treatment | $10,000 | $15,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone maintenance treatment provides the medication along with counseling and other services in an opioid treatment program (OTP).
Methadone activates the opioid receptors in the brain like other opioids, but it does so more slowly and steadily without causing a “high.” This prevents withdrawal and reduces cravings for other opioids. The OTP provides structure and support services to help patients stabilize their lives.
Opinions on methadone are mixed. Some see it as trading one addiction for another. Others recognize it helps people control addiction and its consequences. Stigma remains a barrier to treatment.
Methadone tricks the brain into thinking it’s still getting the problem opioid. This stops withdrawal and cravings. Providing it as medicine with support services helps people get their lives together.
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to ensure they are not using other opioids.
- Take-home requirements: Patients must attend the clinic daily at first. After 2 weeks with clean tests, they can start getting limited take-home doses.
- Monitoring: Methadone programs have doctors, counselors, and nurses to monitor patient progress and dosage.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Doctors check the state’s prescription database before prescribing methadone to ensure safe dosage.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime. Patients had 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests. They were 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment. Staying in treatment reduces overdose risk, disease transmission, and unemployment.
Major Drawbacks
Potential for misuse and diversion exists. Withdrawal is severe if stopped suddenly. It can cause heart rhythm issues. It depresses breathing, causing overdose risk with other substances.
Comparison to Other Medications
About Schenectady
Location, Schenectady County & Neighboring States
Schenectady is located in Schenectady County in east central New York State. It borders the states of Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Capital and Largest City
Albany is the capital and largest city in New York.
Land Area
Schenectady has a total area of 11 square miles.
Infrastructure
Schenectady, New York has an old infrastructure with roads, bridges, and rail lines dating back over a century. Recent investments have upgraded wastewater treatment, the electricity grid, broadband internet access, and some transportation links, but much of the core physical infrastructure is aging.
Population Statistics
Total Population
The population of Schenectady is 62,259 as of 2020.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 19%
- 18 to 65 years: 63.5%
- Over 65 years: 17.5%
Occupations
- Management, scientific, and arts: 36%
- Sales & office support: 24%
- Production & transportation: 14%
- Service-related: 17%
- Construction, maintenance: 9%