In Case You Haven't Heard…

Every year ADAW's “Innovations” issue finds more news for subscribers, much of it experimental. Modern technology continues to churn out replacements for workers in the addiction treatment space. But it's important to remember that the best treatment for addiction is connection – to people. There can be assistance with, for example, measuring methadone doses – and if the reason is really to free up nurse time for counseling, that is relevant, especially at a time when access to OTPs is challenging in many parts of the country and fentanyl is still causing so many overdoses. But don't forget stigma. OTPs have a hard time getting sited because of community opposition – stigma. There is no innovation that can overcome that, unless it comes from the heart.