N.J. Admin. Code § 10:161B-11.12

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 8, April 15, 2024

Section 10:161B-11.12 - Take-home medication dosage schedule

(a) An opioid treatment program shall develop and implement written policies and procedures consistent with this chapter and all applicable Federal regulations addressing the following issues:

1. A client meeting the standards set by accrediting agencies for consideration of take-home medication may be permitted take-home medication in accordance with the following schedule based upon the review and documented approval by the multidisciplinary team:

i. For six-day programs, on admission--one daily take-home dose;

ii. For all programs, after three consecutive months of negative drug screens--one to two daily take-home doses;

iii. After an additional three consecutive months, or a total of six consecutive months of negative drug screens--three daily take-home doses;

iv. After an additional three consecutive months or a total of nine consecutive months of negative drug screens--four daily take-home doses;

v. After an additional three consecutive months, or a total of 12 consecutive months of negative drug screens--five daily take-home doses; and

vi. After an additional six consecutive months or a total of 18 consecutive months of negative drug screens --six daily take-home doses.

2. A client determined not to be eligible to receive take-home medication during any phase of treatment shall have take home medication eligibility revoked until such time as the multidisciplinary team determines and documents that take-home medication may be restored in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter.

(b) Positive drug screening results will delay the timeframe for obtaining take-home medications beyond that listed in (a) above. A client must have three consecutive months of negative drug screenings before receiving each additional take-home dose except that six months are required between the fifth and sixth daily take-home doses.

(c) Clients who have had no positive drug screening results within the last 24 consecutive months and meet all other criteria for take-home eligibility, may be eligible for extended take-home medication as set forth in 10:161B-11.13.

(d) Clients receiving six or fewer daily take-home doses of medication in accordance with the schedule in (a) above, who have a positive drug screening result, shall receive a documented verbal and written warning that a second positive drug screening within 90 days shall result in the loss of all weekday take-home medications. In addition, counseling contacts and the frequency of urine screening shall be increased in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter and program policy.

(e) Clients receiving six or fewer daily take-homes who have two positive drug screens within any 90-day period shall result in the revocation of all weekday take-home bottles pending review and documentation by the multidisciplinary team and an increase in drug screening frequency to two times per month. Restoration of weekend take-home medication shall be at the documented discretion of the multidisciplinary team. The multidisciplinary team may restore two additional take-home doses for each additional month of negative drug screening results. The multidisciplinary team, with the approval of the medical director, may make exceptions to the 90-day period when clinically indicated and documented.

(f) Loss of take-home medication privilege shall result in a reduction in a phase of treatment according to program policy.

N.J. Admin. Code § 10:161B-11.12