USA. SAMHSA’s Methadone Reforms Toothless Until We End Clinics’ Power
USA. SAMHSA’s Methadone Reforms Toothless Until We End Clinics’ Power
The COVID-19 pandemic and record overdose tolls have continued to pressure the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to reform the dysfunctional methadone clinic system. Last month, the agency published aNotice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to update federal regulations to make the medication more accessible and “close the treatment gap.”
Among its numerous proposals: allowing audio-visual telemedicine intakes; eliminating stigmatizing language; and expanding the definition of “counseling services” to include psycho-educational recovery services and harm reduction interventions. The most important new rule-change from a patient perspective is speeding up and loosening the process of getting take-home doses. Dozens more rule-change proposals related to accreditation and certification standards are buried in the 135-page official document. A public comment period will close on February 14.(Filter, USA, 12.01.2023)