Jamie F. Chriqui, MHS PhD¹, Shelby Smith, JD¹, Curtis VanderWaal, PhD, ACSW², and Duane C. McBride, PhD³. (1) Center for Health Policy and Legislative Analysis, The MayaTech Corporation, 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 900, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3921, 301-587-1600, jchriqui@mayatech.com, (2) The Institute for the Prevention of Addictions, Andrews University, 011 Nethery Hall, Barrien Springs, MI 49104, (3) Department of Behavioral Science, Andrews University, 123 Nethery Hall, Berrien Springs, MI 49104

Alcohol treatment quality ranked last in a recent NEJM assessment of treatment for the nation’s 25 leading causes of death, illness, hospitalization, and doctors’ visits. Unlike the treatment system for other health care issues, no “standard” system exists to ensure that substance abuse treatment services are delivering high quality, evidence-based services. Instead, the U.S. substance abuse treatment system is governed by a patchwork of mandated state policies.

This presentation will introduce data from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-supported ImpacTeen project on state laws/regulations governing outpatient/intensive outpatient treatment facilities in the 50 states as of January 1, 2004. Data to be presented will include: (1) state requirements for outpatient facility licensure, certification and/or accreditation; (2) the state agency responsible for governing the facilities and inspection requirements; (3) provisions for establishing and maintaining a quality assurance (QA) program at the facility/program; and (4) requirements for the delivery of commonly-held effective treatment components as defined by ASAM, SAMHSA, and other national bodies. Preliminary data reveal that most states require facility licensure or certification (as opposed to external accreditation). State facility inspection requirements range from rigorous mandates for pre-licensure/certification inspections to limited requirements for inspections as part of a license/certification renewal process. State QA mandates are even more disparate, ranging from no requirements to requirements for specific QA plans and regular quality monitoring and reporting. State requirements for incorporation of standard components of effective substance abuse treatment exhibit the greatest variation. The presentation also will suggest criteria for comparing levels of quality between states.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this presentation, members of the audience will understand the components of and variation in state policies governing outpatient substance abuse treatment facilities/programs. Specific attention will be paid to understanding the quality or evidence-based aspects of the state policy mandates.

Keywords: Public Policy, Substance Abuse Treatment

Related Web page: www.impacteen.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: ImpacTeen/contract