In Case You Haven't Heard…

We asked Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., director of New York's OASAS, if she thinks the federal methadone regulations go far enough, or if she would like to see OTPs have even fewer rules. In an exclusive interview, she told ADAW the changes are “supported by data,” and data is where Cunningham is headed. “It will be really important to see how [the changes] impact access to methadone treatment and outcomes. Clinical judgement is obviously involved,” she said. But OASAS is monitoring and “working with programs to make sure they understand the regulatory changes.” What OASAS wants to know: how many people are coming into treatment, and if they're being retained in treatment.