CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Opioid abuse remains an epidemic in the state. This week, lawmakers passed legislation to increase research, including research planned at Marshall University.
Dr. Zachary Hansen of Marshall Health and PROACT will be leading this study locally and believes participation from the region is essential for a larger, multi-state study.
“When we participate, it means we represent our neighbors and our families,” he told WSAZ.
Field work will be based here at PROACT on 8th Avenue in Huntington. Researchers will look at methadone versus buprenorphine to determine whether providing easier access to methadone will lead to greater success in overcoming opioid abuse, doctors say.
“There’s a little bit of risk, but it’s a more powerful drug. So in an era where fentanyl and all these other additives are being fed into medicine, the question is, do we need a more powerful drug to effectively treat patients?” ” he said.
But Professor Hansen says the research would not have been possible without this week’s bill.
Years ago, deep concerns about methadone treatment led lawmakers to pass strict regulations that were so strict that they actually impeded research. Those concerns remained at this week’s debate.
“This is poison,” argued Rep. Ty Nester, R-Randolph.
“I think we should let the scientists look at this, run good clinical trials in our state, and make policy decisions based on that in the future,” countered Rep. Amy Summers, R-Taylor. .
“I’m not opposed to helping people, I’m not opposed to doing clinical trials, but this could end up being the same thing that happened with treatment beds, and we could also “This could pop up anywhere if it’s not prudent,” Rep. Scott Heckert, R-Wood, said during the debate.
But Hansen told WSAZ’s Curtis Johnson that’s not the case.
“Forty-two members of the House and Senate voted against this bill,” Johnson told Hansen. “What do you think about people who say, ‘Hey, if you publish your research, it’s going to make the scourge of addiction in my neighborhood even worse?'”
“I respectfully disagree,” Mr. Hansen replied. “We hope to help 53 people maintain long-term sobriety, hopefully get their spouses back, become better mothers and fathers, and restore family relationships. Only good things can come from this. I think so.”
Mr. Hansen emphasized that claim, insisting that Marshall’s research would be subject to strict controls, restrictions, and oversight.
The legislation also authorizes another study to examine rural expansion of medication-assisted treatment in the Northern Panhandle.
The proposal currently awaits Governor Jim Justice’s signature.
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