Rules and regulations:
- New Bloomfield, Perry County, Pennsylvania, United States adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Certification procedures:
- Methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA and accredited by an independent accrediting body. Staff must complete required training and clinics must meet standards for quality patient care.
Benefits of medication-assisted treatment:
- Reduces opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allows normalization of brain chemistry
- Suppresses euphoric effects of opioids
- Facilitates patient’s engagement in recovery programs
- Decreases risks like overdose and infectious disease
How clinics operate and their purpose:
- Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to those with opioid use disorder. Patients visit daily to receive methadone doses under the supervision of nurses and physicians. The clinics offer counseling and behavioral therapies to support recovery.
Insurance Coverage
- Medicaid, Medicare, and many private insurance cover methadone treatment. Those without insurance may seek treatment at state-funded facilities or nonprofit clinics offering services at little or no cost.
- Pennsylvania has over [number] free or low-cost methadone clinics located in major cities and counties to expand treatment access. These programs aim to help uninsured or underinsured individuals in need.
Drug Use in New Bloomfield
The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. According to the CDC, over 81,000 drug overdoses occurred in the United States in the 12 months ending May 2020, the highest number ever recorded.
Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths:
- In 2019, there were 96 drug overdose deaths involving opioids in Perry County—a rate of 41.3 deaths per 100,000 persons compared to the national rate of 20.7.
- Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone increased over 15% from 2018 to 2019.
Data on Prevalence of Different Substances:
- Alcohol and marijuana are the most commonly used substances in Perry County, followed by misuse of prescription drugs.
- An estimated 9,000 Perry County residents struggle with a substance use disorder.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient facilities provide 24/7 supervision, counseling, and medical care. Typical stays range from 28 days to 6 months depending on individual needs.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient programs offer services for 4-8 hours per week. Care may include therapy, support groups, and medication management.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 2,500 residents received some level of treatment for substance abuse in 2020 based on state data.
Comparison of Treatment in New Bloomfield vs. Harrisburg
| Category | New Bloomfield | Harrisburg |
| Treatment Facilities | 3 | 23 |
| Inpatient Beds | 18 | 145 |
| Cost of Treatment | $15,000/month | $10,000/month |
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 in what are known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs).
- Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. While it is an evidence-based treatment, some view it as merely replacing one addiction with another. However, methadone enables patients to function normally, improve health, reduce criminal behavior, and hold jobs. When taken as prescribed, it is safe and non-sedating.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly monitored and regulated with urine testing and take-home requirements:
- Urine Testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to detect any unsanctioned drug use.
- Take-Home Requirements: During the first 14 days of treatment, the take-home methadone Supply is limited to just a 24-hour dose. More take-home doses are allowed over time for patients meeting treatment goals.
- Monitoring: Methadone treatment programs utilize an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and behavioral health staff to monitor patient progress.
- Prescription Drug Monitoring: Clinicians should review their state’s prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to carefully cross-reference methadone dosage for each patient, as it has a narrow therapeutic index.
As an example, in New Bloomfield, Perry County, Pennsylvania, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance subject to state prescribing laws.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder that has been used since 1947. Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime:
- Evidence for Effectiveness: Studies show participants on methadone maintenance have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests. They are also 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment, which reduces overdose risk and infectious disease transmission while increasing employment opportunities.
- Major Drawbacks: However, there is potential for misuse and diversion of methadone. Withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly can be more severe than other opioids. Possible QTc prolongation or cardiac issues, as well as respiratory depression and overdose when combined with alcohol or other medications.
Comparison to Other Medications: Research shows methadone is equally as effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use and enabling recovery.
Conclusion: Methadone has demonstrated benefits but also unique risks requiring careful management under medical supervision.
About New Bloomfield
- New Bloomfield is located in Perry County in south-central Pennsylvania. Perry County borders Juniata County to the north, Dauphin County to the east, Cumberland County to the southeast, Franklin County to the south, and Huntingdon County to the west.
- The state of Pennsylvania borders New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ohio.
- The capital and largest city in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia. Perry County covers 556 square miles of land area.
Population Statistics
The population of New Bloomfield is 1,549 people (2020 census).
Demographics:
Gender:
- Male: 49%
- Female: 51%
Age Brackets:
- Under 18 years: 19%
- 18 to 64 years: 51%
- 65 years and over: 30%
Top occupations in New Bloomfield:
- Education, healthcare & social services: 30%
- Manufacturing: 13%
- Retail trade: 13%
- Construction: 10%
- Agriculture, forestry, mining & extraction: 8%