As Executive Director of the Fairfax-Falls Church CSB, I support regulatory changes to expand access to buprenorphine for youth under 16.  The opioid epidemic has had a profound impact on individuals across all age groups and unfortunately youth and adolescents are no exception.  In the Fairfax Health District in 2024, there were five opioid overdose fatalities and 58 non-fatal overdoses among youth ages 0 to 17, CSB providers need full flexibility to respond with evidence-based care.  In response to the community need, the CSB expanded our youth medication assisted treatment services.  There were individuals in need of this service that couldn't get the full array of treatment options due to this current regulation.

I also support eliminating outdated restrictions on daily buprenorphine dosing and counseling requirements.  These changes align Virginia's regulation with current clinical standards and reduce barriers to treatment.  Te CSB remains committed to providing evidence-based treatment options and urges the Board of Medicine to advance lifesaving updates.