MOAR
 

Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery

 

About Us

Our Concerns | Objectives | Approach

Our Concerns

Alcoholism and other drug abuse/dependencies effect over 406,000 men and women in Massachusetts.
Most families that receive services from the Commonwealth have one or more parents with alcohol or drug abuse problems.
Close to thirty percent of work absenteeism is related to substance abuse.
The general public hears and sees only the devastating effects of addiction but does not hear about the many POSITIVE effects of recovery. Participating in MOAR allows recovering persons, their family members and friends, to have a voice about addiction recovery.
Opiate (Heroin, Oxycontin) use has doubled in The Past 10 Years, and What MOAR?
SAMHSA, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2002 Statistics, Massachusetts ranks:
    * 2nd highest rate in the nation of adolescent drug use (including and excluding marijuana)
    * 4th highest rate in the nation of young adult (18-25) drug use (excluding marijuana)
    * 2nd highest rate in the nation of drinking alcohol (for all ages)
    * 4th highest rate for adult binge drinking and 5th highest rate for adolescent binge drinking
    * 5th in illicit drug dependence across the nation

5 adolescent recovery homes do not meet the demand. We are concerned about the void of services for children, adolescent, and family services across the continuum
Approximately 34% of the Massachusetts residents who need and are seeking treatment for substance abuse lack access to appropriate services. (SAMHSA 2003)
Data from Massachusetts' hospitals indicate that emergency and inpatient admissions involving drugs or alcohol are increasing.
Data from Massachusetts' hospitals indicate that emergency and inpatient admissions involving drugs or alcohol are increasing.
More than 25% of the people using Massachusetts' emergency shelters attribute their homelessness to their addiction, and up to 70% report significant involvement with alcohol and/or other drugs.
Of the almost 24,800 people incarcerated in the Commonwealth's correctional facilities, 80% report having a substance abuse problem, 20% have a governing offense that is drug related, and 21% are incarcerated for offenses committed to support their drug use
HealthCare Professionals lack sufficient expertise in alcohol and other drug addiction


Objectives

Open access to treatment
Removal of administrative obstacles to treatment
Insurance Coverage:
    for Long Term Medical and Recovery Skill Building;
    for Appropriate Length of Outpatient Level of Care;
    Reimbursement Mandated for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors I;
    Parity - equal standards of coverage when compared to other health care

Advocating for Treatment in Prison and society re-entry support
Alternative sentencing programs
Improved physical facilities/buildings for treatment and rehabilitation services
Student assistance programming
Peer education in schools.
Improved and INCREASED treatment services for incarcerated addicts
Expansion of the recovery home network
Sober housing
Recovery programs with work experience components
Expansion of academic education for health care workers and other professionals
Peer to Peer Recovery Support Services
Recovery High Schools
Adolescent Recovery Homes in every county
Increased Family and Youth Services

Our Approach

The members of MOAR promote public awareness of alcoholism, drug dependency and substance abuse by:
Recruiting recovering persons, their family members and friends, to join MOAR. Helping them to speak out regarding the benefits of recovery, and the social costs of addiction in our communities and the workplace.
Celebrating "Recovery Day" at the State House every year by inviting recovering persons, policy makers, legislators, treatment providers, and others to meet together. We discuss our accomplishments, as well as the continued need for public education and awareness about addiction.
Offering community education about the need for Insurance Reimbursement for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor I to protect the public, and acknowledge the SPECIAL SKILLS and methods needed to successfully intervene with persons suffering from addiction.
Educating insurers, HMOs and other third party payors regarding the need for equal access to an adequate treatment benefit.
Partnering with treatment providers to assure access and quality care for addicts and their families.
Educating health care providers and the public to reduce the stigma of addiction, while promoting the recognition of addictive disorders as a public health problem.

Our Concerns | Objectives | Approach

 

   

MOAR
Maryanne Frangules
MOAR Project Coordinator
c/o Boston ASAP
30 Winter Street 3rd fl.
Boston MA 02108
(617) 423-6627
Fax: 1-617-423-6626

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