Buprenorphine Access Initiative

The buprenorphine access initiative employs evidence-based harm reduction strategies to reduce overdose mortality and morbidity.   Low-threshold, same-day buprenorphine access and care has grown into a statewide medical standard for people who use drugs.   Buprenorphine access helps to manage drug withdrawals, including block or diminish  declining tolerance levels of opioids in the body as  well as manage powerful, and at times debilitating, cravings from drugs.

People who use drugs can benefit from buprenorphine treatment at any of  the SEPs, STSEPs and drug user health hubs.  The expansion of the low-threshold opioid drug treatment model, has quickly grown statewide into virtual treatment network called the NY MATTERS program. Through a cloud-based referral network, providers schedule care and treatment using a comprehensive online platform developed by NYSDOH. This agile, mobile platform enables the referral service to be adapted in various settings where opioid use disorder to treatment can be prioritized to help someone choose life over death.  The success of implementing the NY MATTERS model continues to be included in settings like the emergency departments, OB/GYN offices, correctional facilities, re-entry programs, inpatient units, pre-hospital settings, community-based clinics and peer navigation services, etc. 

As of 2021, Chapter 432 of the Law regulations state the expansion of buprenorphine and methadone access in correctional settings.