I am writing as a follow-up to my previous correspondence of August 31, 2005 concerning Hurricane Katrina and placing patients in OTPs.

I know that you have been receiving communications from SAMHSA, especially, Mr. Curie’s correspondence of September 9, 2005 (see attached).

I have been extremely impressed by SAMHSA/CSAT’s efforts in this regard and I find their leadership to have been supportive of ensuring that patients continue to get access to care as they were displaced from their own treatment facilities in the affected gulf states.

It is clear that OTPs will need financial resources to ensure that such displaced patients continue to get access to the full array of needed treatment services. Texas has already approved the use of $150,000.00 to provide care to such patients.

This has also raised the necessity of maintaining statewide/regional methadone dosage databases when the next emergency occurs. We have learned through terrorist attacks, power outages and various storms that we require an effective disaster/emergency response to safeguard the care of our patients.

In this particular case, the displaced patients from New Orleans and other treatment facilities found their way north to methadone programs in Louisiana, including LaPlace, Shreveport, Alexandria and Baton Rouge. Other patients traveled to Eastern Texas cities. A number of patients migrated back to Missouri and other Northeastern states to relocate with their families.

I would very much appreciate if programs, which have been treating displaced patients, would keep our offices informed of how many patients have been treated and what kind of services have been provided.

It is also important to point out how extremely proud we are of the methadone treatment programs, who have accepted and treated the patients under such extraordinary circumstances. Many of our provider colleagues worked indefatigably to be sure that patients would continue to gain access to needed treatment.

I am also impressed with the actions of a number of state agencies, which have moved quickly to provide financial support for these treatment systems. Louisiana has developed a comprehensive plan to address these and to assist patients and programs

I will continue to keep you informed of any updates with regard to placing patients in treatment and to ensure that the appropriate funds are put in place so that these patients will continue to receive such care as long as necessary.

Once again, please keep us informed if your programs and states have any information about how many patients have been treated and the kinds of services that have been offered. Please feel free to add in any additional information that you think will be helpful as we prepare a comprehensive set of recommendations to the federal government.