HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 94
(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Lawrence, Manypenny, Moye, Perry,
D. Poling, Rodighiero, Eldridge, Moore, Staggers, Fleischauer,
Andes, Lane, C. Miller, J. Miller and Rowan)
[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources;
Reported April 8, 2009.]
Urging Congress to pass legislation expanding federal oversight of
methadone treatment (S. 754).
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, On March 31, 2009, Senator Rockefeller, along with
Senator Kennedy and Senator Corker, introduced the "Methadone
Treatment and Protection Act of 2009"; and
Whereas, This Act provides a comprehensive solution to the
country's growing problem of methadone-related deaths; and
Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, in 2005, there were 4,462 methadone deaths,
representing a 468% increase in the number of deaths since 1998; and
Whereas, in West Virginia, there were approximately 120
methadone deaths in 2005, compared to just seven deaths in 1999;
and
WHEREAS, Methadone prescriptions have increased 700% 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 (S.
754); and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a certified copy of this resolution to members of the U.S.
Senate representing West Virginia, members of the West Virginia
congressional delegation, the President of the U.S. Senate, the
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Committee
Chair of Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.