Addiction Services Professionals Support Federal Changes

For Immediate Release - Washington, DC

Donovan Kuehn
703-741-7686, ext. 125
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National legislators passed legislation that will help improve treatment for those struggling with opioid addiction.

Doctors have been able to treat opioid addiction, which is estimated to impact on the lives of six million Americans, by prescribing buprenorphine, but its use was limited to only 30 patients per doctor at any time.

The new regulations more than triple the number of patients that doctors can treat for heroin addiction with the medication buprenorphine, by allowing doctors to prescribe buprenorphine to up to 100 patients at a time.

The bill, the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act, was passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

"This is a testament to the hard work that NAADAC and other partners in the addiction services community invested in working on this issue and is a big step forward for the treatment of opiate addiction," said Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, NCAC II, CCDC III, SAP, Executive Director of NAADAC. "Many people who are dependent on opioids have been unable to receive treatment due to the limits on how many patients doctors are allowed to serve. This change will help more people seek and receive treatment."

Senator Orrin Hatch, who introduced the proposed changes, concurred.

"Although our country continues to develop better treatments for drug abuse, countless Americans still fall prey to illicit drugs," Hatch stated. "As their lives are torn apart by these addictions, many find the strength to call out to doctors for help. Unfortunately, some doctors are unable to answer these calls due to limitations on their treatment options."

Before it can take effect, the legislation must be signed by President Bush.