Rules and Regulations
Jessup adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
Certification Procedures
- Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and licensed by the state.
- Staff must meet educational and training requirements.
- Regular facility inspections enforce safety and treatment standards.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Methadone and other medications relieve withdrawal symptoms for those with opioid use disorder.
- Medications can reduce opioid cravings and the risk of overdose.
- Medication-assisted treatment allows people to focus on counseling, skills training, education, and other support.
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide daily doses of methadone to eliminate withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. The goal is to help people with opioid addictions avoid relapse and stabilize their lives. Clinics offer counseling and connect patients to healthcare and social services.
Insurance Coverage
Many clinics accept Medicaid and private insurance. Some clinics offer treatment on a sliding fee scale based on income for those without insurance. Grants and public funding also help support affordable treatment access. Details on payment options are available from individual clinics.
Drug Use in Jessup
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. Lackawanna County has seen significant impacts from the crisis:
- In 2017, there were 89 overdose deaths countywide
- The overdose mortality rate was 20.3 per 100,000 residents
- Heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioids are widely used substances
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
- Patients reside at the facility 24/7 for detox and counseling
- Typical stays range from 28-90 days
- Services include medical monitoring, therapy, 12-step programs
Outpatient Treatment
- Patients attend structured programming but do not stay overnight
- Generally meet 3-5 times per week for several hours per day
- Services provided at clinics, community health centers, hospitals
Treatment Level Unreported
- An estimated 10-15% of patients do not specify treatment level
- Believed to utilize mix of inpatient and outpatient services
Comparison of Treatment in Jessup vs. Neighboring Cities
| Category | Jessup | Wilkes-Barre | Scranton |
| Treatment Centers | 15 | 32 | 48 |
| Inpatient Beds | 124 | 512 | 736 |
| Cost per Day | $500 | $750 | $650 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used to treat opioid use disorder and dependence. As medication-assisted treatment (MAT), methadone helps prevent Opioid Withdrawal and reduces drug cravings by activating opioid receptors in the brain similarly to other opioid drugs. However, it does not provide the associated euphoria or high of misused opioids. Methadone is taken orally once daily in tapering doses under medical supervision at opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it helps individuals with opioid addiction rebuild their lives, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, research shows methadone significantly improves outcomes when properly managed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated with strict federal and state laws to prevent misuse and diversion:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year to ensure appropriate use and identify additional substance use issues.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, methadone is only dispensed as a single 24-hour dose. Over time, additional take-home doses may be allowed for stable patients.
- Monitoring: OTPs utilize an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health staff to coordinate care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review the state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully manage methadone doses, as it has a narrow therapeutic window.
In Jessup, Pennsylvania, methadone is a Schedule II controlled prescription drug, with illegal use or distribution carrying criminal penalties.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder that has been used since 1947. Studies show methadone maintenance therapy reduces opioid use, disease transmission through injection, and drug-related criminal behavior. Compared to other treatments, methadone patients have:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
- 4.44 times higher treatment retention
- Increased employment
Remaining in treatment reduces overdose risk and HIV/HCV transmission from sharing needles.
However, methadone does carry risks including the potential for misuse/diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation and cardiac issues, respiratory depression, and overdose when combined with other substances like benzodiazepines. It is also similarly effective as buprenorphine, another MAT option. Careful patient selection and monitoring are crucial to ensure methadone’s benefits outweigh its risks.
Methadone is beneficial but also requires careful management due to risks.
About Jessup
Location, Lackawanna County & Neighboring States
Jessup is located in Lackawanna County in northeastern Pennsylvania. The neighboring states are:
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia.
Land Area
The land area of Jessup is 1.17 sq miles.
Infrastructure
Jessup has access to major highways such as Interstate 81 and State Routes 247 and 435. The town is served by the County of Lackawanna Transit System for public transportation.
Population Statistics
The estimated population of Jessup was 4,676 as of 2019.
Demographics
Gender
There is a near-equal split of males (48.9%) and females (51.1%) according to 2019 census estimates.
Age Brackets
As of the 2010 census, the population of Jessup was distributed among the following age brackets:
- Under 18 years: 19.4%
- 18 to 64 years: 59.7%
- 65 years and over: 20.9%
Occupations
Major occupations in Jessup based on 2019 estimates include:
- Management, business, science, and arts occupations: 32.9%
- Sales and office occupations: 27.2%
- Service occupations: 16.9%
- Production, transportation, and material moving occupations: 16.5%
- Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations: 6.5%