As a Psychiatrist, I've personally had several teen (15 year olds) patients experience serious opioid overdoses. They clinically need to be prescribed Suboxone, but I am unable to do so in Virginia until this regulation is changed. Additionally, prescribing Suboxone doses of 24 mg and above is now routine practice (not the exception to the rule) with stronger synthetic opioids. Additional documentation requirements is unnecessary, burdenson, and a barrier to care for busy physicians. 

Please make both of these proposed evidence based changes to the regulations. 

Respectfully, 

Jon Snipes, MD 

Psychiatrist