To: All CODAC Opioid Treatment Program Patients

From: CODAC Behavioral Healthcare

Subj: Upcoming HBO Documentary

Date: 9/29/05

We have learned that HBO Films is planning to air a documentary, entitled ‘Methadonia’ focusing on methadone treatment. A preview of this film leads us to believe that the portrayal of methadone treatment and patients in treatment will not be favorable.

Although the documentary features a couple of success stories, the director, Michel Negroponte makes it clear that the road to recovery is by no means an easy one. With a mournful (and occasionally overbearing) jazz score playing throughout, he follows the lives of a group of addicts desperately trying (and in most cases failing) to clean up. Needless to say, this film, and it’s implications, have caused considerable concern in the methadone treatment provider and patient community.

CODAC, along with the vast majority of methadone programs in the United States and Rhode Island, is a member of the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD). Twenty-one states, including Rhode Island, are active participants and members of AATOD which represents the interests of over 240,000 patients in methadone treatment in the United States. AATOD has prepared a response to this film which is attached to this memo.

Methadone treatment has been the target of countless attacks and the focal point of controversy since its inception. These attacks and related controversy are often the result of lack of education, mis-information, bias against drug users (heroin and opioid addicts in particular), and a belief that people can get better if they “just said no.” However, we all know that addiction is much more complicated than that.

We also know that methadone treatment has been proven to be an effective treatment for opioid dependence. Additionally, we know that countless hundreds of thousands of lives and families have been saved and positively changed because of the methadone treatment provided in Rhode Island, the United States and around the world. It is sad that we (patients and programs) are continuously stigmatized and forced to defend this life-giving and life-saving treatment.

CODAC, and other members of the methadone treatment provider community, are concerned that the content of this film may cause some patients to question their continuing participation in methadone treatment. The contents of this film may also cause family members to question the value of continuing and remaining in treatment. Please know that CODAC treatment staff is available to speak with you and your family on this matter.