Yes, 2020 was a wild year, but it brought with it a unique and unprecedented opportunity for reforming the current methadone system. As COVID-19 took hold and the pandemic forced us into isolation, virtual platforms became the new “normal.” This ushered in a new era of methadone activism, advocacy, and organizing in an epic and inspired way! As we met for our Monday Night Methadone Call, one thing became increasingly clear: Improving access to methadone was more urgent than ever in combating the violences of the drug war. For far too long, lack of access and other barriers to treatment have plagued the current methadone system. These injustices have been ignored, explained away, or worse--just allowed to continue with little or no regard for those of us this very system is supposed to “help.” Throughout the pandemic, with supply chains breaking down, isolation, job loss, and even more fentanyl or other poisons being introduced into our supply, opioid deaths skyrocketed. Throughout 2020 our work focused on reforming the system through activism and advocacy. And we have continued those efforts into 2021! We started this new year with a clear message--Methadone is our communities’ only current safe supply! It’s the gold standard of treatment for opioid use disorder and, as current and former methadone users ourselves, we have to do everything we possibly can to get methadone right! Failure is not an option. We continue our efforts to advocate and work to create real change! Read on to learn more about USU’s Methadone Reform team, our work past and present, and what’s to come and how to get involved and advocate for methadone reform.
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