June 10th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Programs that use medication to treat substance abuse are now more tightly regulated under West Virginia law. The law endorsed by Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and the GOP-led Legislature took effect Friday. It provides requirements for licensure, registration, regulation and inspections of clinics treating people for substance abuse with medication, including Suboxone clinics. Suboxone is a brand of buprenorphine, which lowers the effect of opioids. It can also be abused.

The law requires patient agreements and treatment plans describing the medication and expectations. It also warns patients about the ramifications of selling or abusing the medication.

The law ensures patients receive counseling and behavioral health therapies.

A database will monitor how effectively medication-assisted programs are treating substance abuse.

A rule determining many of the law's specifics is being drafted.