Pubdate: Thu, 23 Feb 2006
Source: Charleston Daily Mail (WV)
Copyright: 2006 Charleston Daily Mail
Contact:  http://www.dailymail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/76
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

BILL ENACTS NEW RULES FOR METHADONE CLINICS

A state Senate committee approved a bill detailing new licensing rules
for methadone clinics in West Virginia.

West Virginia has eight clinics that use methadone, a synthetic
narcotic, to treat people addicted to opium-based drugs such as
heroin, morphine and OxyContin. Methadone helps wean patients off
those drugs.

All the clinics have opened since 2001. They are in Beckley,
Charleston, Clarksburg, Huntington, Martinsburg, Parkersburg,
Williamson, Mineral County and Wheeling. The bill mirrors emergency
licensing rules that the Department of Health and Human Resources
enacted in July 2005.

Under the rules, clinics pay a $250 licensing fee and up to $750 to
renew the license, depending on the number of patients they serve. The
Department of Health and Human Resources' Office of Health Facilities
Licensure and Certification inspects the clinics, as does the federal
Drug Enforcement Administration.

The rules concern clinic administration, facilities and security. Each
facility must have a medical director who is a doctor. Each patient
must be assigned a counselor and take regular drug tests. Clinics must
be diligent about making sure patients are not simultaneously enrolled
in multiple methadone treatment programs.

The licensing program is expected to cost the state up to $75,000 a
year to operate. Licensing fees will not cover that cost.

The bill was sent to the Senate. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake