National Alliance of Methadone Advocates
Dear Advocates:
Since its beginning over 30 years ago methadone maintenance
has been the preferred treatment for narcotic addiction by the
drug user. Many times it has been demonstrated to be the most
effective treatment for heroin addiction, resulting in the
termination both of heroin use and of criminal behavior. In
spite of its success, methadone maintenance is often
disparaged as a “substitute drug” by those who ignore the
positive benefits that it has clearly brought to society.
Such attitudes negatively impact on methadone treatment in a
variety of ways, but it is the methadone patients themselves
who are particularly stigmatized and harmed. Patients are
mistreated and misinformed and considered as social outcasts.
They are victims of discrimination in health care, the job
market, education, insurance and housing. Even treatment
professionals are often ashamed to admit that they work in
this field. This atmosphere will not change as long as there
is no organization or formal mechanism for methadone patients
to voice their own needs and to form a strong, unified public
presence on their behalf.
The idea of a methadone advocacy organization was conceived
in the Fall of 1988 when a group of current and former
methadone patients and professionals in the field began
meeting to discuss the possibility of forming one. The name
National Alliance of Methadone Advocates (NAMA) was chosen
and the many issues that NAMA could address were discussed
by the group. There was a tremendous amount of work ahead
for NAMA to reverse the years of stigma and misinformation
about methadone maintenance treatment.
Today NAMA has grown to over approximately 15,000 members
representing the 50 states, Puerto Rico and 12 countries. NAMA
is proud to have inspired the formation of other affiliated
advocacy groups throughout the world. Currently over fifty
affiliated groups exist in the United States as well as several
in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy and Sweden.
A methadone advocacy organization can work on many levels to
bring about changes. The primary objective of NAMA is to
advocate for the patient in treatment by destigmatizing and
empowering methadone patients. First and foremost, it can
confront the negative stereotypes that impact on the self
esteem and worth of many methadone patients with a powerful
affirmation of pride and unity.
NAMA works to correct the misconceptions about methadone
maintenance treatment and overcome the prejudice directed
against methadone patients. NAMA strives to educate
communities and policy makers about the benefits of methadone
treatment and responds to the negative and sensationalized
media, supports the growth of local advocacy groups, advocates
for treatment on demand and provides a platform whereby
methadone patients can express their concerns about their
quality of life. Today, many methadone patients feel ashamed
of the very treatment that has helped them. They feel alone,
no longer “dope fiends” but still not a part of society, and
with nowhere to turn for support. This situation is hardly
conducive to rehabilitation. Yet the majority of methadone
patients have proven themselves capable and successful in the
practical world, as lawyers and waitresses, construction
workers and housewives, teachers and cab drivers.
NAMA’s Goals
-to eliminate discrimination toward methadone patients
-to create a more positive image about methadone maintenance
treatment
-to help preserve patient’s dignity and their rights
-to make treatment available on demand to every person who
needs it
-to empower methadone patients with a strong public voice
-to give a human face to methadone treatment
Please complete the Membership Form and return it. The annual
membership fee is only $25. This includes a subscription to
The Ombudsman the official annual NAMA publication and our
action alert, The Right Dose.
No one will ever be denied membership in NAMA because
they lack money. If you cannot afford membership at this time
complete the membership form and return it with a notation
that you are not financially able to afford membership dues.
However, if resources are low we may not be able to mail you
a copy of The Ombudsman and/or the bulletin alerts. Including
$5 will at least insure that you receive The Ombudsman and
the bulletin alerts. .If you can afford it won’t you consider
providing a donation to help compensate the cost of those
who cannot pay for their membership.
NAMA does not receive the support that other advocacy
organizations enjoy, primarily because of the stigma and
prejudice towards this treatment and those who receive it.
We are sure that you can appreciate this and realize the
difficulty NAMA has encountered in maintaining support for
our activities. We, therefore must depend on you.
NAMA works on a national level and at the local level by
assisting our existing chapters and promoting the
organization of new groups. Presently NAMA has patient
representatives sitting on the new clinic regulations
committee and the physician prescribing committee. Also,
NAMA is forming a committee that will meet with the
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) to discuss
strategies by which methadone patients can be given a
true voice in their treatment.
These are all important indications that methadone treatment
will be changing and NAMA has been a significant catalyst in
these events occurring. We are therefore at the beginning of
an exciting new era of methadone treatment where the patient’s
voice is heard, but to continue NAMA needs your support.
Help us to continue the struggle to end the discrimination and
stigma directed towards methadone patients and to work for
the day when people are judged not by the medication they take,
but by the contributions they make to their family, community
and society.
You can join NAMA by completing the Membership Form and
enclosing a $25 check or money order made out to NAMA.
Mail it to:
National Alliance of Methadone Advocates
435 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10010
Complete the Membership Form and email it to:
Howard Lotsof
[email protected]
Either way works and helps support our activities.
Together, we can make a difference.
Joycelyn Sue Woods
President
National Alliance of Methadone Advocates Inc.
435 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10010
Phone/Fax (212) 595-nama
