TRIPS No Longer Operating
This past Spring TRIPS the project that assists methadone patients to find
an alternative site while traveling was closed. It happened very quickly
and as you would expect created problems immediately. NAMA began receiving
calls as early as March from patients trying to locate a program in the
area that they were traveling to.
Several patients called because their program had inferred that finding
a site was the responsibility of the patient. Other patients called us
after being treated badly by the alternate site program. One patient was
treated rudely by staff while inquir ing about the feasibility of be medicated
at the program. Another reported that upon arriving at the alternate site
the program did not live up to their word.
It is far better if you can take your medication with you. Then you
will not have to worry about programs going back on their word and other
problems that patients often encounter. However, if you must be alternate
sited you have two options. You can c all NAMA or the National Clearinghouse
for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI). The numbers are listed below.
And, if you have a bad or a good experience at a program that you are
alternate sited to, please let us know as we will probably begin to develop
a data base.
NAMA Number
(212) 595-NAMA
NCADI
1-800-SAY-NO-TO(DRUGS)
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JW