WV Methadone Restriction Bill Introduced

February 10, 2004

We were hoping that this wouldn’t happen in because some legislators had come out in the media with reservations about this bill. Not so! House Bill #4387 which adds new restrictions on MMT clinics into the WV Health Code was introduced Tuesday February 10. 2004. You can view the bill in it’s entirety by going to The WV Legislature Home Site and clicking on “hb4387”.

Upon first review parts of this legislation seemed to be not that harmful, however after a more care consideration NAMA has decided that this legislation does not promote quality treatment and is harmful to patients. NAMA has decided to oppose the entire legislation.

Read the legislation here and see what you think.

H.B. 4387. (By Delegates Michael, Perdue, Leach, Foster, Long and Hall).

What To Do

Our clinics are already overburdened with layers of regulation. In May 2001, new Opiate Treatment Program Federal Regulations went into effect. The top substance abuse professionals in the U.S. developed best treatment practices on which Accreditation Guidelines and Federal Regulations are based. Is the State of West Virginia going to hire top medical and addiction experts to develop their own regulations?

If Delegate Long gets his way, the following is what West Virginia MMT regulations may include:

  • Only nonprofit Opiate Treatment Programs could be granted licenses. Long is proposing that all MMT programs be operated by the state Mental Health Department.
  • Requiring more frequent drug screens.
  • More stringent admission policies.
  • Restricting the duration of treatment (Former Senator McCain tried this several years ago).
  • Reducing the amount of take homes (this is almost a sure thing. WV currently allows 14-30 day THs).
  • Requiring the clinic doctors to see the patients more frequently, and perhaps restricting doctors only to psychiatrists.

Read NAMA’s Press Release with links to articles about the issue.

Press Release. National Alliance of Methadone Advocates, Virginia NAMA, Addiction Treatment Watchdog and Advocates for Recovery through Medicine, January 28, 2004.

Help by writing a letter.

Virginia NAMA and our new chapter the West Virginia Methadone Advocacy Project have asked for letters to be sent to the governor with copies to influencial legislators.

Example Letter

West Virginia State Legislators.

West Virginia Media.

News Articles.

The West Virginia Methadone Advocacy Project wrote a letter to the editor of the West Virginia Gazette. You can read it here.

Letter to the Editor.

Virginia NAMA responded to an article in the Charleston Daily Mail Tuesday February 17, 2004. Read it here.

Treatment or illegal drug?

Letter to the Editor.

Here are persons to send your letter to:

List of Officials

Merritt Moore, State Methadone Authority
Department of Health & Human Resources
Bureau for Behavioral Health & Health Facilities
Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
350 Capitol Street, Room 350
Charleston, WV 25301-3702
Phone: 304 558-2276
Fax: 304 558 1008
[email protected]

Sonia Chambers
WV Health Care Authority
100 Dee Drive
Charleston, WV 25311-1600
304-558-7000
Fax- 304-558-7001
[email protected]

Senator Roman Prezioso D Marion

Chairman, Senate Health and Human Resources Committee
1900 Kanawha Blvd E RM 439M
Charleston, WV 25305
304-363-7323
FAX-304-357-7961
[email protected]

Delegate Bob Ashley R Roane
Minority Chair, Health and Human Resources
Veterans Affairs
1900 Kanawha Blvd E RM 2D
Charleston, WV 25305
304-340-3185
[email protected]

Don Perdue D Wayne

Health & Human Resources
1900 Kanawha Blvd E RM 208E
Charleston, WV 25305
304-340-3269
[email protected]

Robert S. Kiss D Raleigh

Mr. Speaker House Rules
1900 Kanawha Blvd E RM 234M
Charleston, WV 25305
304-340-3210
[email protected]

Richard W. Staton D Wyoming
Majority Leader
1900 Kanawha Blvd E RM 228M
Charleston, WV 25305
304-340-3220
[email protected]

Earl Ray Tomblin
Senate President
1900 Kanawha Blvd E RM 227M
Charleston, WV 25305
304-357-7801
[email protected]

William R. Sharpe, Jr.
President Pro Tempore
1900 Kanawha Blvd E RM 206W
Charleston, WV 25305
304-357-7845

H. Truman Chafin

Majority Leader
1900 Kanawha Blvd E RM 223M
Charleston, WV 25305
304-357-7807
[email protected]

Vic Sprouse
Minority Leader
1900 Kanawha Blvd E RM 221-W
Charleston, WV 25305
304-357-7901
[email protected]

Bob Wise, Governor
Office of the Governor
State Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone 888-438-2731
Phone 304-558-2000
FAX 304-342-7025
[email protected]

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