Newsletter

Narcotics Prevention Association Inc.

From the Medical Director

Thank you for your interest in the rehabilitative services offered by NPP. Please be assured that our organization is committed to provide quality care to men and women dependent on heroin or prescription narcotics. Our aim is to assist patients in gaining control over their addiction and to help them address the personal and social consequences of this disorder.

The main therapeutic resource in our program is narcotic replacement therapy with methadone. Methadone is most effective to relieve symptoms of opiate withdrawal. Methadone also blocks craving for heroin and other opiates. This medication makes possible to live comfortably without the health risks and the emotional swings experienced with heroin.

Medication is not the full solution to the addicts’ problems. The person needs to learn new coping skills to manage a life disrupted by the addiction. The addict may have lost relationships and may need new sources of emotional support from persons who do not place him or her at risk of resuming the use of drugs and do not contribute to create problems. As part of their rehabilitation, patients often have to examine their occupational options and seek constructive new job opportunities.

Our program therefore helps to address issues such as those just mentioned, through skilled counseling by qualified professionals.

We help patients to better understand the impact of drugs on their health, how to prevent these problems an how to reach medical care if health problems are present. Psychiatric care is also available in our program when indicated.

Drug dependence makes severe financial demands. Much money is spent procuring the drug and dealing with medical and legal consequences. These expenses are considerably larger than the fees charged by our program.

If you are covered by MediCal or other insurance, the expenses to you are negligible.

In regard to the quality of the services offered by NPP, our Clinic is licensed as a Narcotics Therapy Program by the California Department of and Drug Programs, as a Community Primary Care Medical Clinic by the Los Angeles Department of Health Services and as an opiate treatment program by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

The care provided by our clinic therefore meets high medical and rehabilitative standards. The Program Director and the Medical Director closely supervise the delivery of all our services.

We welcome your inquiries; please feel free to call for an appointment if you feel in need of our services.

Alfonso Paredes, MD

Medical Director.

NPP, Inc* 942 S. Atlantic Blvd. * Los Angeles * CA * 90022