Rules and Regulations
Azusa, Los Angeles County, California, 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
To be certified, a methadone clinic must:
- Be accredited by SAMHSA
- Meet DEA security requirements for storing and dispensing methadone
- Have qualified and licensed staff including a program physician, nurses, and counselors
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone maintenance treatment provides:
- Reduction or elimination of opioid withdrawal
- Reduction or elimination of opioid cravings
- Greater retention in treatment
- Reduced risk of overdose
- Improved overall health and social functioning
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide daily supervised methadone dosing and counseling to those with an opioid use disorder. The purpose is to help patients gain control over their opioid addiction in a medically supervised manner.
Insurance Coverage
Most private insurance plans and Medi-Cal cover methadone treatment. Some clinics also offer treatment on a sliding fee scale based on income for those without insurance.
Drug Use in Azusa
The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency. According to the California Department of Public Health:
- In 2020, there were 5,722 opioid overdose deaths in California, a 33% increase from 2019.
- Fentanyl is involved in over 71% of opioid overdose deaths.
- Methamphetamine is involved in over 50% of all overdose deaths.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves staying at a facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. It includes medical detox, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment involves periodic services for 1-2 hours at a time, 1-3 days per week. It includes counseling, group therapy, medication management, and recovery support.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 18% of treatment facilities do not report their treatment level. Unreported facilities are estimated to be a mix of inpatient, outpatient, and sober living services.
Comparison of Treatment in Azusa vs. Pasadena
| City | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Cost per Month |
| Azusa | 12 | 190 | $6,000 |
| Pasadena | 18 | 230 | $7,500 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) involves daily doses of methadone dispensed through opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to provide a legal source of opioids, reduce illegal opioid use and criminal activity, and enable patients to function normally.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment are mixed. Some view it as “trading one addiction for another.” However, methadone is simply a medication for treating a medical disorder. When taken as prescribed, it does not produce euphoria or sedation. It allows patients to stop using illegal opioids, improve health/social functioning, and reduce transmission of HIV and hepatitis. Stigma remains a major barrier to methadone treatment access.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated to prevent misuse and diversion:
- Urine testing: Patients must undergo at least 8 random drug tests in the first year to ensure compliance.
- Take-home requirements: For the first 14 days, only a 1-day methadone supply is allowed. More take-home doses are permitted over time for patients meeting treatment goals.
- Monitoring: OTPs should have an interprofessional team overseeing methadone treatment including physicians, nurses, and counselors.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review state PDMP data when determining dosage, as methadone has a narrow therapeutic window.
In Azusa, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance requiring a prescription. California maintains a PDMP to track dispensing.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder used since 1947. Studies show methadone reduces opioid use, disease transmission, and crime. Patients had 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and were 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment. Retention in treatment reduces overdose/disease risks and increases employment.
However, methadone does have risks requiring careful management. Potential for misuse/diversion exists. Withdrawal without tapering is severe. Methadone may prolong the QT interval, requiring monitoring. It depresses respiration, and overdose can occur when combined with other substances.
Methadone and buprenorphine are equally effective in reducing opioid use. In conclusion, methadone has demonstrated benefits but also risks necessitating close oversight.
About Azusa
Location, County & List of Neighboring States
Azusa is located in Los Angeles County in the state of California, United States. It is surrounded by the neighbouring states of Nevada, Oregon, and Arizona.
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city in California is Sacramento.
Land Area
Azusa has a total area of 9.99 sq miles.
Infrastructure
Key infrastructure in Azusa includes:
- Roads and highways like Route 66, Foothill Boulevard, and Interstate 210
- Public transportation via buses and the Metro Gold Line
- Utilities like water, electricity, sewage, and waste management
Population Statistics
Total Population
As of the 2020 census, the population of Azusa was 52,022.
Gender
- Male: 51%
- Female: 49%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 24.4%
- 18 to 64 years: 59.3%
- 65 years and over: 16.3%
Occupations
- Management, business, science, and arts: 32%
- Sales and office: 24%
- Service: 22%
- Production, transportation, and material moving: 13%
- Natural resources, construction, maintenance: 9%
