In order to capture current patient census data for people being treated for opioid use disorder in OTPs, the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) in partnership with the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD), developed a census survey of all patients enrolled in treatment as of January 1, 2021, in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) certified OTPs in the United States (U.S.). The project was supported by the SAMHSA-funded Opioid Response Network (ORN).

The purpose of the survey was to determine the number of patients receiving medications for opioid use disorders (MOUD) in OTPs, the types of federally approved medications being used by patients in treatment, and the specific formulations of medication used among the patient population.

This is the first time that such information is being made available to federal and state agencies that have jurisdiction in this area in addition to the general public.

At the time of the census, 1,826 OTPs were listed in the SAMHSA OTP directory. A total of 1,547 OTPs across the country completed the census survey, reflecting an 85% response rate. The full report indicates the medication breakdown for 512,224 patients. Of the 512,224 patients in OTPs who reported using MOUDs, 476,763 reported using methadone, 33,473 reported buprenorphine, and the remaining 1,988 reported using naltrexone. In addition to the most common MOUDs being used, the census captured formulation data from 510,557 patients including the most common formulation types, the number of patients using each formulation, and regional differences between formulation use.

Through this census, NASADAD and AATOD have captured crucial and actionable data to better understand treatment demand and demand for specific medications in OTPs. This report lays important groundwork to examine future demand and service issues in OTPs.

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Contact:

Melanie Whitter
Deputy Executive Director and Director, Research and Program Applications
National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, Inc.
mwhitter@nasadad.org
(202) 292-4873

Mark W. Parrino
President
American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD)
mark.parrino@aatod.org
(212) 566-5555 Ext: 200

The State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program, housed within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), is a federal grant program designed to address the “opioid overdose crisis by providing resources to states and territories for increasing access to FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder (MOUD), and for supporting the continuum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services for opioid use disorder (OUD) and other concurrent substance use disorders (SAMHSA, 2022).”

The National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) serves as the voice of State alcohol and drug agencies in Washington, D.C. NASADAD’s members are the State Single Agencies (SSAs) responsible for applying, receiving, and distributing SOR funds to programs and providers. The SOR  grant program is currently up for reauthorization. As a result, NASADAD has developed an overview of key provisions in legislation in the the House of Representatives and Senate to reauthorize the program.

For more information about how States are using SOR funds, please visit the IMPACT OF STATE TARGETED RESPONSE & STATE OPIOID RESPONSE GRANTS.

On October 6, 2022, President Joe Biden issued A Proclamation on Granting Pardon for the Offense of Simple Possession of Marijuana. The Proclamation set in motion a pathway to pardon all individuals with simple possession of marijuana offenses in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (U.S.C.844) or in violation of D.C. Code 48–904.01(d)(1). In response, NASADAD developed a fact sheet for State alcohol and drug agencies, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About President Joe Biden’s Proclamation to Pardon Simple Marijuana Offenses, that explores answers to common questions around the timeline for pardons, what does receiving a presidential pardon entail, who does this proclamation apply to, and more.

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Join the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors and the Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions (CoE-IHS) for a webinar on State Integrated Models: Hub and Spoke and Bridge Models, on Thursday, October 27, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET as we explore two states models that integrate recovery support services. Experts from the States of California and Tennessee will present their innovative CA Bridge Program and Tennessee Hub and Spoke Model. Read more about these integration approaches in our new issue brief, State Models for Addressing Opioid Use Disorders: Recovery Support in Integrated Care Settings.

Data indicates that nearly 75% of the nation’s 91,799 drug overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids, a shift that is consistent with trends indicating a worsening drug overdose epidemic. As the epidemic evolves, states have sought more effective solutions to reduce and treat opioid use disorders (OUD) and prevent overdose.

Integrated care models offer an effective solution; a research-based approach to manage chronic conditions like OUD, enhancing access to care and ensuring clients receive individualized services. OUD is a chronic relapsing condition that necessitates integrated forms of health and social service provisions to improve continuity of care.

Registration is available here.

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NASADAD has developed an interactive map showing the impact of State Targeted Response (STR) & State Opioid Response (STR) grants.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) previously funded the State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis (STR) grant and currently funds its successor, the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant, to address the opioid crisis.  SOR funding can be used to support evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery support services for opioid and stimulant misuse and use disorders.

To understand how grant recipients have used these funds, NASADAD developed state and territorial -specific briefs that describe highlights of each state alcohol and drug agency’s use of STR/SOR funds across the continuum of care.  Thematic briefs were also developed to analyze common strategies and services states have implemented for opioid and stimulant misuse and use disorders using STR/SOR funding.

On September 8, 2022, NASADAD hosted a virtual event including remarks from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Opioid Response Network (ORN), and Single State Agency (SSA) Directors, who presented on SOR-funded initiatives and shared their impact.

Presentations: 

• Opioid Response Network (ORN)
• NASADAD – Interactive Map
• New Mexico Human Services Department Behavioral Health Services Division
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Addiction Services

Impact of State Targeted Response & State Opioid Response Grants

Alcohol use is one of the leading public health concerns for State alcohol and drug agencies in the United States. In 2020, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 50% (or 138.5 million people) of all people drank alcohol in the last month. Adults aged 26 and older made up the age with the highest reported use (54.6% or 119.2 million), followed by people aged 18-25 years old (51.5% or 17.2 million), and then adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old (8.2% or 2.1 million people).

State alcohol and drug agency leaders are working to address this challenge through initiatives related to prevention, treatment, and recovery. State Directors provide leadership by promoting standards of care, evidence-based services, and continuous quality improvement innovations. State Directors also ensure public dollars are dedicated to programs that work through performance data management and reporting, contract monitoring, corrective action planning, on site-reviews, and technical assistance.

This fact sheet dives into the current landscape of alcohol use, emergency room/motor vehicle accidents, impact of COVID-19, benefits of prevention, benefits of treatment and recovery, and key federal programs related to alcohol.

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