Rules and Regulations
Koosharem, Sevier County, Utah, United States adheres to strict regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). These regulations ensure that methadone is dispensed safely and appropriately.
Certification Procedures
All methadone clinics must be certified by SAMHSA. To obtain certification, clinics must adhere to federal and state regulations regarding medication dispensing, counseling requirements, and record keeping. Staff must complete specialized training. Clinics must renew their certification periodically to demonstrate continued compliance.
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and other medication-assisted treatments benefit individuals dependent on opioids. Benefits include:
- Reducing opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allowing individuals to focus on recovery and rebuilding their lives
- Lowering the risk of overdose death
- Improving physical and mental health
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide daily doses of methadone to treat opioid dependency. In addition to dispensing medication, clinics provide counseling and connect patients to other social services. The ultimate purpose is to help individuals achieve long-term recovery.
Insurance Coverage
Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance plans often cover methadone treatment. Some clinics offer treatment at little or no cost for uninsured individuals. Grants and public funding may also be available to subsidize treatment costs.
Drug Use in Koosharem
Opioid Crisis Declared Public Health Emergency
In 2017, the opioid crisis was declared a nationwide public health emergency by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This declaration helped mobilize resources to address the epidemic.
Statistics on Drug Overdoses and Deaths
- In 2020, there were 18 drug overdose deaths involving opioids in Sevier County, a rate of 13.9 deaths per 100,000 persons compared to the national rate of 21.6 deaths per 100,000 persons.
- The most commonly identified drugs involved in overdose deaths in Utah in 2020 were fentanyl and heroin.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment involves living at a facility while receiving 24/7 care and monitoring. The typical length of stay is 30 days. Services include medical detoxification, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment provides services while the individual lives at home. Frequency is typically 3-5 days per week for several hours each day. Services are provided at clinics, hospitals, or private practices.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10% of treatment facilities do not report their treatment level. These are likely to be smaller practices providing outpatient services.
Comparison of Treatment in Koosharem vs. Provo
| City | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds | Cost of Treatment |
| Koosharem | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Provo | 5 | 150 | $10,000-$20,000 |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a 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). This allows those with opioid addictions to function normally without the highs and lows of opioid misuse.
Methadone is a full opioid agonist, meaning it fully activates the opioid receptors. It has a long half-life, lasting 24-36 hours, allowing for once-daily dosing. Methadone does not provide the same euphoria or sedation as other opioids when taken as prescribed. The goal of MMT is to improve quality of life by reducing illicit opioid use and associated risks.
Methadone Distribution
Methadone distribution is highly regulated to prevent misuse and diversion. Patients must meet DSM criteria for opioid use disorder and informed consent guidelines. Monitoring includes:
- Urine testing: Patients undergo at least 8 urine drug screens in the first year to detect illicit drug use.
- Take-home doses: During the first 2 weeks, methadone is only dispensed as daily doses on-site. Eventually, take-homes are allowed for stable patients who meet guidelines.
- Oversight: Methadone programs have an interprofessional team including physicians, nurses, and counselors monitoring progress.
- Prescription monitoring: Providers check prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) data to monitor concurrent controlled medications carefully due to methadone’s narrow therapeutic index.
Methadone distribution follows federal and state regulations. In Utah methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance only allowed for addiction treatment through OTPs with required counseling.
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 on MMT have 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests and are 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment. Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk, and HIV transmission, and increases employment.
However, methadone does have risks including the potential for misuse and diversion, severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly, QTc prolongation, and respiratory depression if combined with other substances. It is equally effective as buprenorphine for reducing illicit opioid use. With careful patient selection and monitoring, the benefits of MMT outweigh the risks for many patients with opioid use disorder.
About Koosharem
Koosharem is located in Sevier County in south-central Utah. It is situated along I-70 about 5 miles southwest of Richfield, the county seat of Sevier County.
Utah borders Arizona to the south, Colorado to the east, Idaho to the north, Nevada to the west, and New Mexico to the southeast.
Capital and Largest City
Salt Lake City is the capital and largest city in Utah.
Land Area
Koosharem has a total area of 0.9 square miles.
Infrastructure
Major highways serving Koosharem include Interstate 70 and Utah State Route 118.
Population Statistics
The population of Koosharem was 205 at the 2010 census.
Demographics
Gender
- Male: 50.2%
- Female: 49.8%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 31.7%
- 18 to 64 years: 53.2%
- 65 years and over: 15.1%
Occupations
- Educational services, healthcare, and social assistance: 25.9%
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining: 16.6%
- Retail trade: 12.2%
- Construction: 9.8%
- Public administration: 7.8%
