10A NCAC 27G .3602. DEFINITIONS

In addition to terms defined in G.S. 122C-3 and Rule .0103 of this Subchapter, the following definitions shall also apply:

(1)           "Capacity management system" is a computerized database, maintained at the Office of the North Carolina State Authority for governing treatment of opioid addiction with an opioid drug, which ensures timely notification of the State whenever a program reaches 90 percent of its capacity to treat intravenous drug users, and to make any excess treatment capacity available.  The requirement to have a capacity management system in 45 C.F.R. Part 96.126(a), the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, is incorporated by reference and includes all subsequent amendments and editions and may be obtained from the Substance Abuse Services Section of DMH/DD/SAS.  The computerized system shall ensure that a continuous updated record of all such reports is maintained and that excess capacity information shall be available to all other programs.

(2)           "Central registry" is a computerized patient database, maintained at the Office of the North Carolina State Authority for governing treatment of opioid addiction with an opioid drug.  The purpose of the database is to prevent multiple methadone treatment program enrollments; thereby lessening the possibility of methadone diversion for illicit use.

(3)           "Waiting list management system" is a component of the capacity management system whereby systematic reporting of treatment demand is maintained.  The data required for the waiting list management component of the capacity shall include a unique patient identifier for each intravenous drug user seeking treatment, the date initial treatment was requested, and the date the drug user was removed from the waiting list.  The waiting list management system requirement in 45 CFR 96.126(c) is incorporated by reference and includes subsequent amendments and editions of the referenced material.  It may be obtained from the Substance Abuse Services Section of DMH/DD/SAS.

(4)           "Methadone hydrochloride" (hereafter referred to as methadone) is a synthetic narcotic analgesic with multiple actions quantitatively similar to those of morphine, most prominent of which involves the central nervous system and organs composed of smooth muscle.  The principal actions of therapeutic value or analgesia and sedation are detoxification or temporary maintenance in narcotic addiction.  The methadone abstinence syndrome, although quantitatively similar to that of morphine differs in that the onset is slower, the course more prolonged, and the symptoms are less severe.

(5)           "Other medications approved for use in opioid treatment" are those medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in opioid treatment and also approved for accepted medical uses under the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act.

(6)           "Program compliance for purposes of take-home eligibility" is determined by:

(a)           absence of recent drug abuse;

(b)           clinic attendance;

(c)           absence of behavioral problems at the clinic;

(d)           stability of the patient’s home environment and social relationships;

(e)           length of time in comprehensive maintenance treatment;

(f)            assurance that take-home medication can be safely stored within the patient's home; and

(g)           evidence the rehabilitative benefit the patient derived from decreasing the frequency of clinic attendance outweighs the potential risks of diversion.

(7)           "Recent drug abuse for purposes of determining program compliance" is established by evidence of the misuse of either opioids, methadone, cocaine, barbiturates, amphetamines, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (hereafter referred to as THC), benzodiazepines or alcohol documented in the results of two random drug tests conducted within the same 90-day period of continuous treatment.

(8)           "Counseling session in Outpatient Opioid Treatment" is a face-to-face or group discussion of issues related to and of progress toward a client’s treatment goals that is conducted by a person as specified in Rule .3603, Paragraph (a) of this Section.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 122C‑26; 143B‑147; 21 C.F.R. Part 1300; 42 C.F.R. Part 8;

Eff. May 1, 1996;

Temporary Amendment Eff. February 7, 2000;

Amended Eff. April 1, 2001;

Temporary Amendment Eff. December 3, 2001;

Amended Eff. April 1, 2003.