BHN Staff Panelists at ASAM National Conference

April 8, 2024

We are thrilled to share that two BHN staff members participated in panel discussions at the which took place from April 4-7 in Grapevine, TX. The ASAM Annual Conference is a landmark event in addiction medicine, uniting over 2,000 professionals to network, learn, and inspire one another. For over half a century, ASAM has gathered the addiction treatment community to present best practices and the newest advancements in science, research, and innovation.

Calla Harrington, Clinical Supervisor at the Orange and Greenfield Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) was a panelist during the opening session, "Broadening Perspectives to Narrow the Treatment Gap", which featured a diverse group of experts. Calla discussed how BHN's OTPs have responded to SAMHSA guidance, allowing for greater access to the life-saving medication methadone. She also shared insights into the reactions of staff and clients at BHN OTPs and how they have processed them.

Dr. Ruth Potee, Medical Director for BHN's Substance Use Disorder services participated in a panel titled "Methadone in the Modern Era." She was joined by Yngvild Olsen, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), and others advocating for change in the 51-year-old regulations on methadone administration in the US. BHN's four opioid treatment clinics have served as national models of how to deliver methadone in a patient-centered and evidence-based model.