City and State Partner on New Program to Offer Immediate Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder
Allison Arwady, M.D. and Illinois Department of Human
Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
(IDHS/SUPR) Director Laura Garcia announced recently the launch of a new pilot program to offer immediately available medication to Chicagoans to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Medication- assisted recovery (MAR) involves the use of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of OUD and with the launch of the MAR NOW pilot program, a new hotline will make treatment more accessible than ever.
SUPR, and treatment provider Family Guidance Centers, Inc.,
which has been providing medication assisted recovery (MAR)
in Chicago for over 50 years. MAR NOW operates through the
existing 24/7 Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances.
the Helpline looking for treatment for opioid use disorder, they
can now be transferred directly to Family Guidance Centers
to receive immediate MAR. MAR NOW will provide direct
connection to a care coordinator and provider between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. 7 days a week via the Illinois Helpline.After hours, individuals can leave a message with the MAR NOW care coordinators and receive a call back the next day. A Family Guidance care coordinator will help them determine the best treatment options and can connect them to a provider for an immediate telephone appointment and medication prescription. Care coordinators can also facilitate a same- or next-day in-person appointment. All patients are connected to ongoing treatment with a community provider that best meets their needs.
people die each year in the City from opioid overdose than from
gun-related homicides and traffic accidents combined,” said
Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “Addressing this crisis requires
us to prioritize harm reduction, lower barriers to treatment and
invest in innovative public health programs like MAR NOW,
which will increase access to life-saving treatment for so many of our residents.”
only 20-30% of people diagnosed with opioid use disorder
nationwide receive this treatment. Traditionally, access to
methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, the medications used to treat opioid use disorder, were only available after an in-person appointment with a provider able to prescribe these medications. Appointments, if they are available and affordable, often require a wait of several days to weeks. This can be an insurmountable barrier for someone ready to access treatment immediately. Moreover, strict federal regulations around the storage and prescription of these medications further restrict access, making it challenging for providers to offer low-barrier treatment.
of COVID-induced changes to federal regulations that allow
patients to begin treatment at home after an initial telephonic
appointment with a provider. This will vastly expand access
to opioid use disorder treatment by providing immediate, easy
access to MAR: an individual can speak directly with a provider
over the phone, immediately receive a prescription or same-day
in-person appointment, and get transportation assistance to the
pharmacy or clinic, all at the same time.
free statewide resource available 24/7 through the Illinois Department of Human Services. Call 833-234-6343 or text “HELP” to 833234 to contact the Helpline.
CDPH Overcome Opioids: https://overcomeopioids.org/
Chicago Health Atlas Overdose Data: https://chicagohealthatlas. org/indicators/drug-overdose-deaths
Latest Stories
- CTU Gathers with Faith-based Leaders to Highlight Recent Tentative Agreement Wins for Students and Educators
- COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER KISHA MCCASKILL TAKES CENTER STAGE AS SOUTH SUBURBAN COMMUNITY UNITES FOR A GREENER FUTURE
- RICH TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR CALVIN JORDAN LEADS HEARTWARMING SPRING CELEBRATION FOR HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES WITH “EASTER JAMBOREE” CELEBRATION
- Local Musician’s Career Spans 50 Years
- Have Questions About Money? The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office Can Help
Latest Podcast
STARR Community Services International, Inc.
