2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 70.96A.400: Opiate substitution treatment — Declaration of regulation by state.

The state of Washington declares that there is no fundamental right to opiate substitution treatment. The state of Washington further declares that while opiate substitution drugs used in the treatment of opiate dependency are addictive substances, that they nevertheless have several legal, important, and justified uses and that one of their appropriate and legal uses is, in conjunction with other required therapeutic procedures, in the treatment of persons addicted to or habituated to opioids. Opiate substitution treatment should only be used for participants who are deemed appropriate to need this level of intervention and should not be the first treatment intervention for all opiate addicts.

     Because opiate substitution drugs, used in the treatment of opiate dependency are addictive and are listed as a schedule II controlled substance in chapter 69.50 RCW, the state of Washington has the legal obligation and right to regulate the use of opiate substitution treatment. The state of Washington declares its authority to control and regulate carefully, in consultation with counties and cities, all clinical uses of opiate substitution drugs used in the treatment of opiate addiction.

     Further, the state declares that the primary goal of opiate substitution treatment is total abstinence from chemical dependency for the individuals who participate in the treatment program. The state recognizes that a small percentage of persons who participate in opiate substitution treatment programs require treatment for an extended period of time. Opiate substitution treatment programs shall provide a comprehensive transition program to eliminate chemical dependency, including opiate and opiate substitute addiction of program participants.

[2001 c 242 § 1; 1995 c 321 § 1; 1989 c 270 § 20.]