Opioid Treatment Line OTL

(formerly MACS)

The Opioid Treatment Line OTL is a telephone helpline that provides opioid pharmacotherapy information (i.e. methadone and buprenorphine), referrals, advice and a forum for pharmacotherapy concerns.

Hours of operation	Monday to Friday    9.30am to 5.00pm
Freecall Number	1800 642 428*
	NOT AVAILABLE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

* Please note- Freecall numbers are not free from mobile phones

OTL assists individuals and health professionals who want to know more about the system of opiate treatment in NSW

• How to get onto a program,
• what should be expected from clinics, doctors and pharmacies providing the service, 
• the guidelines from NSW Health (read more) and understanding what lies behind the strict regulations for patients and staff,
• what can be done in the case of difficulties between client and service.

FAQs

Is OTL a confidential line?
Yes, you have the option of not identifying yourself. However if you have a concern and want it followed up, you may need to identify yourself in order for the staff member to investigate your issue properly.

Can OTL find me a pharmacotherapy service in my area?
OTL can provide information about both public and private services that are in NSW and ACT. However it cannot provide information on vacancies within a service.  Information regarding dispensing pharmacies may only be given to health professionals.

What types of pharmacotherapy services are there?
The types of pharmacotherapy services for opioid dependence treatment are public and private clinics, and private prescribers.

If I have a concern about my treatment what can OTL do?

• OTL can provide information on whether the NSW Opioid Treatment Program guidelines have been followed and give advice based on the guidelines.
• OTL can contact your service to try and negotiate an outcome that is both satisfactory to you and the service involved. OTL cannot override a decision made by the service.
• If the issue cannot be resolved in this way, OTL can provide you with information regarding lines of appeal.
• OTL particularly wants to note your concerns- with your permission. This record will go to the NSW Department of Health. In this way your issue is officially noted and will be looked at by NSW Health with the aim of not only helping individual issues but in improving the system for all consumers and providers in the State.