HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 71

(By Delegates Poore, Perdue, Marshall, Rodighiero, Fleischauer, Hatfield, Moye, L. Phillips and Pasdon)

Urging Congress to pass legislation expanding federal oversight of methadone treatment.

    Whereas, West Virginia currently has nine for-profit methadone treatment centers; and

    Whereas, While methadone treatment for opioid addiction provides assistance to many individuals, as with any controlled substance, there is a risk of abuse with methadone; and

    Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nationwide deaths involving methadone increased sevenfold between 1999 and 2006; and

    Whereas, Methadone prescriptions have increased seven-hundred percent since 1998; and

    Whereas, Current federal oversight of methadone is inadequate in addressing the growing number of methadone related deaths; and

    Whereas, The West Virginia legislature believes that better federal oversight over methadone treatment is needed; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia;

    That the Legislature of West Virginia urges Congress to pass legislation expanding federal oversight of methadone treatment; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to members of the United States Senate representing West Virginia; to members of the West Virginia congressional delegation; to the President of the United States Senate; to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; and to the Committee Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.