Section 3719.61 | Opioid treatment programs.
Nothing in the laws dealing with drugs of abuse shall be construed to prohibit treatment of narcotic drug dependent persons by the continuing maintenance of their dependence through the administration of methadone in accordance with the rules adopted by the department of mental health and addiction services under section 5119.391 of the Revised Code, when all of the following apply:
(A) The likelihood that any person undergoing maintenance treatment will be cured of dependence on narcotic drugs is remote, the treatment is prescribed for the purpose of alleviating or controlling the patient's drug dependence, and the patient's prognosis while undergoing treatment is at least a partial improvement in the patient's asocial or antisocial behavior patterns;
(B) In the case of an inpatient in a hospital or clinic, the amount of the maintenance drug dispensed at any one time does not exceed the quantity necessary for a single dose, and the dose is administered to the patient immediately;
(C) In the case of an outpatient, the amount of the maintenance drug dispensed at any one time shall be determined by the patient's treatment provider taking into account the patient's progress in the treatment program and the patient's needs for gainful employment, education, and responsible homemaking, except that in no event shall the dosage be greater than the amount permitted by federal law and rules adopted by the department pursuant to section 5119.391 of the Revised Code;
(D) The drug is not dispensed in any case to replace or supplement any part of a supply of the drug previously dispensed, or when there is reasonable cause to believe it will be used or disposed of unlawfully;
(E) The drug is dispensed through a program licensed and operated in accordance with section 5119.391 of the Revised Code.
Available Versions of this Section
- September 29, 2013 – House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly [ View September 29, 2013 Version ]
- June 29, 2019 – Amended by House Bill 111 - 132nd General Assembly [ View June 29, 2019 Version ]
- April 6, 2023 – Amended by House Bill 281 - 134th General Assembly [ View April 6, 2023 Version ]