“How Are We Going to Be Able to Pull That Off?”: Staff Perspectives on the Early Implementation of Mobile Medication Units in New York State

Interviews with 16 staff from four opioid treatment programs that launched mobile methadone units found implementation was slowed by inconsistent DEA guidance, vehicle maintenance and parking requirements, workforce shortages, community opposition, and lower-than-expected patient demand. Persistent leadership, sustained state funding, and strong cross-program partnerships helped get units running, suggesting that the potential of mobile units to expand methadone access depends on these factors.