Attachment G OTP FAQS

Attachment G

2011 OTP SURVEY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is the OTP survey?

The OTP survey is a facility-level census survey of opioid treatment programs. It is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ), in conjunction with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). The OTP Survey will collect information from approximately 1,200 substance abuse treatment facilities identified by SAMHSA as being certified OTPs.

2. Who is conducting the OTP survey?

Mathematica Policy Research (Mathematica) is conducting the survey on behalf of SAMSHA. Mathematica is the same company that has conducted the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS) since 1997.

3. Is it mandatory that I complete this survey?

Your participation in the OTP survey is voluntary but extremely important. State and Federal officials will use information from the OTP survey to better understand the types of treatment and services available; staffing and patient characteristics; and organizational features of OTPs - - information that is not currently obtained by the N-SSATS or other Federally-sponsored surveys. The OTP survey is endorsed by the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) and by your State Opioid Treatment Authority (SOTA).

4. This facility is privately owned. We don’t get any Federal, State, or local funds. Should we participate in the survey?

Yes, it is very important to have information about all certified OTP facilities so that we can accurately describe the opioid treatment program network in the United States.

5. We already provided OTP information on the N-SSATS. Why do we need to do another survey?

The N-SSATS collects some data on OTPs, but is not intended to gather detailed information about OTPs. The data being collected by the OTP survey are not available elsewhere and complement, rather than duplicate, information collected by the N-SSATS. For example, the new OTP survey collects information such as the types of treatment and services available; staffing and patient characteristics; and organizational features of OTPs.

6. How long will it take to complete this new survey?

The time estimated to complete the OTP survey is 50 minutes.

7. Where can I find more information about terms used in the OTP Survey?

Definitions of terms used in the survey can be found at http://info.nssats.com/otp.

8. What should I do if I have problems completing the survey online?

You may call the OTP helpline at 1-xxx-xxx-xxxx, or email us at__________________________