Resources
Know Your Rights
For a long time, there has been discrimination toward people who take medications for opioid addiction. For example, people have been blocked from these medications when they are in jail or prison. Truck drivers, doctors, and other workers have been forced to give up MOUD to keep their jobs. People giving birth in hospitals have been prevented from bonding with their babies. In many cases, this treatment is not just unfair, it is also illegal.
People with opioid use disorder are protected under the Americans Disability Act which entitles them to medication for their condition. Learn more.
If you have been discriminated against, we encourage you to file an ADA complaint. Even if you are only comfortable filing anonymously, it could still lead to change. The more complaints filed, the more likely an issue is to get attention.
Here are additional organizations that are working to promote justice for people taking MOUD.
Legal Action Center
Based in New York City, the Legal Action Center offers help nationwide for people ordered off their addiction medicine or forced to lower their dose. This could be from a judge, parole officer, child welfare agency, or other entity.
National Alliance for Medication-Assisted Recovery (NAMA-R)
This national advocacy organization is comprised of, founded by, and in existence for individuals whose recovery paths are supported by medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). You can contact them directly through their website.
Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project
PILP is trying to make sure that all people can access MOUD in jails and prisons. They have a one-page guide to advocating for your rights to receive medication while incarcerated and are willing to help, at no cost, if your rights have been violated.
Contact: (412) 434-6004
Pennsylvania Methadone Advocacy Group (PMAG)
PMAG aims to improve methadone treatment in Pennsylvania by bringing together people with treatment experience to advocate for their needs.
Hotline: (844) 772-6240