U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

DEA Expands Access to Mobile Narcotic Treatment Programs

NCJ Number
302609
Date Published
August 2021
Length
3 pages
Annotation

This report describes the features of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA’s) access to Mobile Narcotic Treatment Programs.

Abstract

On June 28, 2021, the DEA announced its lifting of the 14-year moratorium on methadone-dispensing vans operated by narcotic treatment programs (NTPs). This rule change will have a significant impact on the nation’s 2,700 DEA-registered and future methadone service providers. DEA will no longer require providers to obtain a separate registration to operate a mobile component and distribute controlled substances. Removing the dual-registration requirement will make it easier to supply treatment services to rural and underserved areas. DEA regulations apply to mobile NTPs. A mobile NTP must provide detoxification treatment with narcotic drugs in Schedules II-V at locations remote from and within the same state as the registered NTP. They must operate under the registration of the NTP; and a mobile NTP must be a motor vehicle (van, truck, or RV) with more than three wheels in contact with the ground.

Date Published: August 1, 2021