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Committee advances OBOT rules for buprenorphine clinics; panel discusses jail partnerships and rising enrollments
Summary
The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services presented rules for outpatient buprenorphine treatment (OBOT) clinics; staff said OBOTs differ from OTPs (methadone) and reported growth in treatment enrollment from about 5,800 in 2020 to 9,380 most recently.
Department officials presented proposed minimum program requirements for office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) facilities, which primarily prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. Dr. Wes Gemin, the department’s chief pharmacist and state opioid treatment authority, described the difference between OBOTs (state‑licensed buprenorphine providers) and OTPs (federally certified methadone programs) and said OBOTs typically involve scheduled outpatient visits rather than daily dispensing.
Gemin also said the department has tracked enrollment growth in opioid treatment programs and provided sample counts to show rising treatment engagement: "Just as an example, in 2020, we had 5,800 individuals enrolled in an opioid treatment program, and the latest numbers are 9,380," he said. Committee members asked whether rules address relationships with sheriffs and jails; department staff said clinics often work with correctional facilities but the rule does not dictate jail‑clinic arrangements. The committee approved a positive recommendation for the OBOT rule package.
