HBO’s Methadonia Stigma Strikes Again
On October 6, 2005 HBO premiered a “so-called” documentary called “Methadonia” directed by Michel Negroponte. To give you an idea of the tone of the movie here is the Press Release from its premier at the New York Film Festival September 23, 2005.
The 43rd New York Film Festival
September 23 – October 9, 2005
Sponsored by Sponsored by HSBC Private Bank, a division of HSBC USA,
N.A., The New York Times, and Audi.
Methadonia
DV camera in hand, filmmaker Michel Negroponte takes us on an
eye-opening tour of the borderland of recovering heroin addicts on
methadone maintenance-a place where the seasons run together into one
long rainy spell between an oblivious past and a receding future.
There’s Millie, who after 28 years of drug use now counsels recovering
addicts; George, an ex-rocker dreaming of making a fresh start; Susie
and Eddie, trying to take control of their lives before their new baby
arrives; and Steve, a charming, formerly homeless man out to prove that
rehab is possible. Weaving the stories of these and other lives
together, Negroponte lays bare a system that seemingly offers addicts a
way out of their affliction while in fact the treatment itself often
becomes another kind of trap. 88 min. USA, 2005 An HBO Documentary Films
Release.
Shown with Victoria Para Chino (Cary Fukunaga, USA/Mexico, 2004, 14 min).
One of NAMA greatest concerns is that this movie will become the definitive documentary on methadone because it confirms all the myths and misunderstandings. Therefore hoping that HBO would at least issue a disclaimer prior to the showing NAMA hand delivered a letter to their corporate offices in New York. If you saw the premier you know that no disclaimer was issued and HBO’s reply to our letter was disappointing. HBO did not even have the consideration to contact NAMA regarding our concerns and only sent a form letter that was typical of a corporate response that feels that they have no responsiblity in the response of family, friends and communities who view the movie. We are dissapointed as we hoped that HBO would at least attempt to repair some of the damage they were doing.
What Can You Do?
- Write to HBO
Tell them what you thought about the film. If you have a personal experience because of the film include it in your letter. (i.e. family and friends now want you to withdraw from methadone as that was the message in the movie, community used the film to block the opening of a clinic, etc.)
Home Box Office
1100 Avenue of the Americas
- MOST IMPORTANT Send a copy of your letter to the PRISM Awards.
These are awards given by the entertainment industry to recognize educational projects. We do not think that HBO deserves an award this year or in fact for many years considering the damage they have done.
PRISM Awards
Entertainment Industry Council
10635 Santa Monica Blvd. Ste. 100
Los Angeles, CA 90025
- Send a copy Of your letter to HBO to SAMHSA and include a note asking them to issue a public statement about “Methadonia”.
All the major professional organizations involved with methadone treatment have sent a letter to HBO and/or issued a press release with the exception of the federal government. While usually the government does not issue statements about such issues NAMA believes that in this case it is important. And since the government is involved with the PRISM Awards it becomes their responsiblity to issue a statement.
NAMA has sent a letter requesting a public statement and SAMHSA may need a little encouragement from patients and professionals.
Mr. Charles Curie, Administrator
SAMHSA
1 Choke Cherry Road
Rockville, MD 20850
Below are some links to visit including the HBO Message Board where you will find a discussion about the movie and I would advise that as many patients and professionals as possible visit it.
Links
Interview with Director Michel Negroponte
Download AATOD Press Release 
pdf format
Methadone Anonymous Support Forum. (Negroponte visited the Forum 10/24/05)
Emergency Help for New Orleans
NAMA has responded to the New Orleans Emergency by creating a Forum at We Speak Methadone where information is posted and also where you can post information. If you are having trouble finding a clinic or getting medication here is where to look for information. Or if you are trying to find someone you can post a message here.
NAMA is working to keep any information from the various agencies posted and available for you.
New Orleans Update
November 8, 2005
The patients living in New Orleans and Mississippi are encountering a second traumatizing event. The programs in the area are self pay and typically a month treatment is anything from $200-300. Most patients have lost their jobs and while new jobs to clean up the area will be available patients are discovering that they do not have the money to pay for treatment. Up to 4000 patients could be facing a Feetox in the next month or two and I would suspect that most patients are very close to it now. Many have lost their homes and even family members, now at a most critical time they could receive a 10 to 30 days administrative withdrawal.
If you are facing a Feetox in the next month or two NAMA needs to know about it. Send your personal story to Joycelyn Woods at: [email protected]. Put in the subject: Feetox in New Orleans. Here is what to include:
- A paragraph on your situation.
- The name of your program.
- The state you live in.
- The amount of time you have left before you are not able to pay. Give an approximate date.
- We do not need your name or any identifying information. Each story will be screened for any identifying data.
September is National Recovery Month
September is National Recovery Month and NAMA declares 2005 as the Year for Methadone Patients to Claim Recovery. For way too long methadone patients have been denied to celebrate their recovery and this year will be the start of a new beginning.
Visit our Celebrate Recovery Page and Forum to post your accomplishments or to just celebrate Your Recovery.
Post your recovery story at the Celebrate Recovery Forum
First Article Anniversary
Forty-eight years ago the first article “Heroin Addiction – A Metabolic Disease” was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine by Drs. Dole and Nyswander.
The original paper on methadone has been published and re-published a number of times. But over the years it is often cited but the original paper is easily forgotten after all this time. Here is an opportunity to download it and read it. It has some surprising insight considering it was written in 1967.
Heroin Addiction – A Metabolic Disease. Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 120, July, 1967.
New GAO Report on Drug Screens
Washington, D.C.
Testimony by Robert J. Cramer, managing director, Office of Special
Investigations, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations,
House Committee on Energy and Commerce. GAO-05-653T, May 17.
Drug Tests: Products to Defraud Drug Use Screening Tests Are Widely
Available , by Robert J. Cramer, managing director, Office of Special
Investigations.
Shelf Life of Methadone
AATOD has issued a policy statement about the shelf life of methadone. The article includes recommendations about the diluting vehicle, storage time and temperature.
Shelf Life for Methadone Hydrochloride Products. June 11, 2004,
AATOD Policy Statement.
Pain Management for Buprenorphrine Patients
This letter is the reply to a letter that NAMA sent regarding pain management and buprenorphrine patients. Reckitt Benckiser’s response includes guidelines for the treatment of acute and chronic pain.
Reckitt Benckiser Letter. November 22, 2004.
Patient Speaks About Recovery
Canada
Former drug addict Rick Chase is a regular at the methadone clinic, located in the Victoria Health Centre, in downtown Fredericton. He says methadone has helped him kick his drug habit and get on with his life.
Read a positive story about methadone, published in Canada.
ON ROAD TO RECOVERY. The Daily Gleaner, April 23, 2005.
West Virginia Proposes New Regulations
West Virginia is proposing new methadone regulations. Check them out on WV Methadone Advocacy Projects website and find out what to do.
WV Methadone Advocacy Project.
Proposed WV Regulations DRAFT.
Alabama is Under Fire!!!!
Shelby County, Alabama
Alabama does not have very many programs and losing one for patients can mean losing their treatment. This is just what is happening in Alabama a program was needed and followed all the rules including getting a Certificate of Need — except when a judge steps in! Read the press release and newspaper articles about this difficult situation.
Press Release. Alabama Program is Under Fire, October 27, 2004
Letter to Sherrif Curry. Gary Mandel, Maryland NAMA asks the sheriff to reconsider.
Update
The Court o f Appeals overturned the ruling that was blocking a the Shelby County MTP from opening. Just about every state in the South needs more methadone programs and this will at least help patients in the area of Shelby County.
Susan Staats-Sidwell sent out a thank you to NAMA and everyone that helped this program open. Read the article in the Birmingham News.
Court OK’s Methadone Clinic for Shelby. Birmingham News, October 22, 2005.
News Bits
New Publication on Methadone-associated Mortality
This booklet summarizes the data used by assessment experts to evaluate the nature and scope of methadone-associated mortality, as well as to present their findings and recommendations.
Methadone-Associated Mortality: Report of a National Assessment. September 1, 2004