CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A new, innovative resource for West Virginians seeking addiction treatment has been launched in the state.
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) announced on Tuesday its launch of ATLAS (Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform), to help those seeking treatment find high-quality and appropriate care.
The ATLAS website, www.TreatmentATLAS.org, which was piloted by Shatterproof in six states including West Virginia, provides transparent data on the use of evidence-based medical practices and patient experiences at addiction treatment facilities.
The DHHR said in a release that ATLAS allows users to compare treatment facilities side-by-side, or filter by selected criteria, such as facility location, program needs, or insurance carrier. Patients and their loved ones will also be able to leave feedback on treatment facilities by responding to validated survey questions similar to those used in other areas of healthcare.
Speaking on a Zoom call with the media, Founder and CEO of Shatterproof Gary Mendell said patients’ use would drive demand toward higher-quality treatment programs.
“That would not only help their loved but by driving demand to the higher quality programs, it would lift the whole quality of care up,” he said. “Giving information to payers to build their networks and payment models, giving information to states to determine who to license and who not to license.”
Shatterproof, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to stopping the opioid crisis in the country, also partnered with Deleware, Lousiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and New York.
.@WV_DHHR today announced the launch of ATLAS from @ShatterproofHQ, the first resource of its kind to help those seeking addiction treatment find high-quality & appropriate care. Read more: https://t.co/P7hRTjLA2P pic.twitter.com/m9N0dhaPil
— WV DHHR (@WV_DHHR) July 21, 2020
Gov. Jim Justice said in a release, “I’ve said many times that we need to do everything in our power to end the drug crisis once and for all. At the end of the day, this is another incredible resource to have in our toolbelt. It’s another piece of the puzzle that’s going to help our people break the cycle of addiction and begin on the path toward recovery.”
Mendell said the timing of the launch is more important than ever as the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly effected those fighting addictions. He said overdose deaths across the country were up 40 percent in May.
“As bad as this tragedy was before, the tragedy of overdose deaths is increasing substantially during the pandemic,” he said. “Because of social isolation, because of loneliness, because of not being able to access treatment, or because of worry about losing a job or changing your life.”
Mendell said in a release that the fight hits home, “When my family was looking for addiction treatment for my son Brian, the system was impossible to navigate. If ATLAS was available, I believe we could have found evidence-based treatment and my son might be alive today,” he said.
“As I look forward as to how ATLAS will help so many people in need and their loved ones and as I learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic is aggravating the already existing addiction public health crisis, it is so important that we make ATLAS available to everyone in West Virginia and across the country.”