The National Methadone Conference-3

Starting the Meeting

Joyce calls the meeting to order.

Top (l-r) Robert Sanders (NYC NAMA), Becki Ballard (OK NAMA), Gary Nessenbaum (WAMM), Jennifer Nelson Connelly (PA NAMA), Joycelyn Woods, Jo Sotheran and Annice Burns (Greater WI NAMA).

Bottom (l-r) John Finger (TexNAMA), Barbara Finger (TexNAMA), Carmen Pearman (The MAG) and Donna Schoen (LIJ Patient Committee).

Framing the Issues

Joyce begins by framing the issues and Jo adds to the confusion! Or is it the other way around!

Comments From the End

The Far end adds their comments right Rokki.

(l-r) Edith (Delaware NAMA), Yvonne Bryson (MAAG-Harrisburg), Carolyn Miranda (NAMA SoCal), Maureen Neville (Massachusetts NAMA), Howard Lotsof (NAMA), Rokki Baker (NAMA * NAMA NorCal), Norma Alexander (NAMA), David Monosson (WAMA), Christina Torres (Goldman).

Tony’s Pronouncement

Tony adds his comment.

(l-r) James Connolly (PA NAMA), Donna Schoen (LIJ Patient Committee), Carmen Pearman (The MAG), Tony Scro (NAMA), Andrew Richardson (Chicago NAMA), Joe Neuberger (Delaware NAMA).

A Most Vocal Group

Pensive Looks as David Monoson the host chapter makes a comment.

(front center) Andy Richardson (Chicago NAMA) and Joe Neuberger (Delaware NAMA).

(l-r) Maureen Neville (Massachusetts NAMA), Rokki Baker (NAMA * NAMA NorCal), Howard Lotsof (NAMA), Norma Alexander (NAMA), David Monosson (WAMA).

Talking Down the Table

Joyce (not shown) adds a comment from the far end of the table as the chapters discuss issues.

(l-r) Howard Lotsof (NAMA), Norma Alexander (NAMA), David Monosson (WAMA), Christina Torres (Goldman), Michael Mckinney (NAMA), Julie D’Ascenzo (PA NAMA) and Robert Saunders (NYC NAMA).

Surprise Yvonne

Yvonne Bryson (MAAG-Harrisburg) is presented with the first NAMA Advocacy Recognition Award that NAMA has developed to recognized the exceptional work of NAMA affiliates, chapters or other advocates.

Yvonne through her creative initive and quick talking got about 150 patients from her clinic medicated at the local hospital Emergency Room during the snow storm this past winter. (see full story on Advocacy Recognition Award section)

Looking Down the Table

This picture shows the growth of NAMA over the years.

(l-r)Mark Buell (Greater WI NAMA), Donna Schoen (LIJ Patient Committee), Carmen Pearman (The MAG), Barbara Finger (TexNAMA), Tony Scro (NAMA), Andy Richardson (Chicago NAMA), Joe Neuberger (Delaware NAMA), Edith and Yvonne Bryson with hand raised are hiding behind Neuberger, Carolyn Miranda (NAMA SoCal), Maureen Neville (Massachusetts NAMA), in the corner Rokki Baker (NAMA/NAMA NorCal)- back up the table Howard Lotsof (NAMA), Norma Alexander (NAMA), David Monoson (WAMA), Christine Torres (Goldman), Julie D’Ascenzo (PA NAMA) and Michael Mckinney (NAMA) behind Robert Saunders (NYC NAMA), Becki Ballard (OK NAMA) and still about 10 are missing from the other end of the table.

Personal Note from the President:  I remember the first conference that NAMA went to. There were only 2 advocates there — myself and Stan Novick who was the President at the time. During the conference I had a counselor come up to me and tell me that she did not think it was a good idea for patients to come to the conference. When I asked why she replied that patients “might see something”. All I could think of was yea they might find out what quality methadone treatment is and that they are not getting it. Each conference NAMA tried to get more patients to the conference but it was not until 1998 that CSAT provided scholarships for patients to attend the 1st National Methadone Advocacy Conference which a preconference event. Since then CSAT does provide some assistance for patients to attend. Professionals who attend have their attendance, registration and travel paid for by their program which in turn gets their money from the patients. So for many years patients paid the bill for the conference and yet they could not attend because it cost too much.

This year when I looked down the table at the NAMA Organizational Meeting I knew that patient advocacy had become accepted as part of the methadone community. We are no longer viewed as radicals or rebels. A total of 46 NAMA chapters attended because of our fundraising plus an additional thirty patients were also able to attend. This was due in part to Walter Ginter who spent many hours on fund raising. So this year when I looked down the table I felt so proud to see so many NAMA chapters there making a difference. This year patients were noticed!