Feb 21, 2020
An article by the USC Center for Health Journalism News Collaborative reports the Hub and Spoke System is helping California make progress in tackling the opioid epidemic. The Hub and Spoke System has resulted in:
- 395 new practitioners trained to prescribe medication assisted treatment
- 21,800 new patients starting medication assisted treatment
Hub and Spoke has particularly help uninsured and underinsured Californians access opioid addiction treatment.
Jan 21, 2020
Find out how to locate a drug take-back bin in your area!
The federal grant-funded California Statewide Drug Take-Back Program has the express purpose of helping combat the opioid crisis and reduce the misuse of medications by expanding options for the public to safely discard unwanted medicines with a statewide network of take-back receptacles (bins). The program, administered by California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC), also promotes DHCS’ medication mail-back envelope program. Pharmacies, hospitals, and law enforcement departments interested in participating in CA Drug Take-Back Program and receiving a free medicine collection bin may complete the application here.
Bins can accept both controlled and non-controlled medications for people and pets. They will be placed across California at Drug Enforcement Agency-approved locations, including California-licensed pharmacies, hospitals or clinics with onsite pharmacies, and law enforcement departments. Grant funds will cover the cost of the drug take-back bins, professional installation, disposal services through August 2020, technical assistance, and promotion of the bin location throughout the duration of the project.
Pharmacies, law enforcement agencies, and health care facilities should consider applying today!
- Each bin helps to ensure that only the person prescribed the medication uses it. Safely disposing of medication that is no longer wanted or being used reduces risk of harm for children, pets, and seniors from consuming medications that are not intended for them. The opioid crisis has been fueled in part by people accessing unused or unwanted medications from friends and family members’ homes.
- Each bin saves taxpayer dollars. When medications are obtained by someone other than the intended patient, this can lead to addiction and poisonings.
- Each bin protects the environment. Medications poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet can result in higher concentrations of chemicals ending up in watersheds and local water supplies, potentially affecting wildlife and people.
- Your bin host location will be promoted at no cost to you. This program will raise awareness of your facility and may increase foot traffic.
Help us spread the word about the California Drug Take-Back Program and encourage friends and colleagues that work for pharmacies, hospitals, and law enforcement departments to complete the application today!
Dec 17, 2019
In two recent interviews, DHCS’ Marlies Perez explains how medication assisted treatment can help individuals overcome opioid addiction and achieve long-term recovery, and how ChooseMAT.org can help individuals find medication assisted treatment near them.
Dec 17, 2019
HMA has launched a learning management system (LMS) rich with learning content spanning administrative, clinical, and behavioral health competencies for substance use disorder treatment and medications for addiction treatment (MAT). This site is available to the public and is dynamic in its content. The LMS will continue to undergo further updates and enhancements over the next several months. If you are a clinician, behavioral health provider, or administrator wanting to increase opioid use disorder treatment capacity, the LMS has resources for you.
A User Guide to help walk you through the LMS.
Dec 5, 2019
The Waivered Prescriber Support Initiative (WPSI) is pleased to launch the new and improved project website. Find out more at www.uclaisap.org/MATPrescriberSupport.
Dec 2, 2019
Preliminary results of the evaluation of of the California Hub and Spoke Program are presented in the January 2020 edition of the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. Some highlights of the evaluation include:
- California’s Hub and Spoke model has increased access to opioid use disorder treatment.
- Prescribers and treatment teams have received implementation support.
- Activities have focused on increasing the number and skills of prescribers and teams.
Download a PDF of the article.
