Methadone and Pregnancy

Carolina Treatment Center Open House

admin — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 02:01:33 +0000

Patient waiting area at the Carolina Treatment Center in Pinehurst.

On Friday, September 14th the Carolina Treatment Center in Pinehurst, NC held their first community open house. They offered tours of their facility, invited community providers to set up informational tables, held raffle drawings, and had speakers to talk about substance use disorder treatment. I was one of the invited speakers and was asked to speak about how stigma impacts people and treatment.

After speaking, I had the opportunity to talk with one of their patients who is currently pregnant and one of the nurses who works at the facility. They both talked about the need for information on this topic and I was able to provide the patient some facts about neonatal abstinence syndrome. The nurse told me she prints off copies of my website for women and shared her appreciation for having materials that are free of medical jargon that she can offer to the patients.

I believe that opening the doors and showing the community what actually happens at treatment facilities can really work to reduce the stigma and intolerance that is associated with substance use disorder treatment facilities. In addition to staff, patients, and community providers there were also law enforcement officials who attended!

I hope the staff are proud of their event. They showed commitment to their community and their patients. Attendees also showed off some sweet dance moves. I think the event was a great success. I know how much work goes into hosting an open house and can’t wait to see what they do next year!

Speech on Overdose Prevention

admin — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:43:05 +0000

White House Drug Policy Director to Visit North Carolina to Call for Increased Action to Prevent Drug Overdose Deaths

An Estimated 37,000 people Died from Drug Overdoses in the U.S. in 2009

Director Gil Kerlikowske to Call for 15 Percent Reduction over 5 Years in Unintentional Drug Overdose Deaths Nationwide

Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and President Obama’s top drug policy advisor will visit Wilkesboro, North Carolina on Wednesday, August 22nd.

During his visit, Kerlikowske will deliver a speech calling drug overdose deaths preventable and outline a national goal of reducing unintentional drug overdose deaths by 15 percent over the next five years.

Who: Gil Kerlikowske, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy

What: Speech on Overdose Prevention

News media should RSVP to MediaInquiry@ondcp.eop.gov

When: Wednesday August 22, 9:30am-11:00am ET

Where: Wilkes Community College

The Walker Center

1328 South Collegiate Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697

Can’t make it in person? Click here to view a webcast of the event.

A Doctor’s Experience

admin — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 17:53:08 +0000

I recently found a great article from Dr. Siekel of The Center For Drug Free Living in Orlando, FL. Her article discusses her experience learning about methadone treatment during pregnancy and she provides core facts that are essential for providers and patients to know and understand. Read the article here