By: Maryela Gallardo, Follow South Jersey Community Journalist
SOUTH JERSEY — The State of New Jersey has announced a waiver that will improve access to opioid treatment services. This will provide more opportunities to receive care for individuals who need support for substance abuse issues.
This waiver will align the state rules with federal guidelines on opioid treatment programs (OTPs), which according to the press release from the New Jersey Department of Health state will include; increase access to opioid treatment services, reduce regulatory requirements on providers that maintains the safe provision of services, and make sure that medications for opioid use disorder are provided in accordance and meet standards.
The Health Commissioner, Kaitlan Baston, stated in the press release that, “In addition to aligning state rules with federal regulations, this waiver reduces duplicative requirements for behavioral health programs and will hopefully reduce barriers and improve access to this life-saving treatment.
At first, patients had to go through a phase-based requirement that required them to progress through these “phases” of treatment so they could take-home doses of medications like methadone. This treatment is used to reduce withdrawal symptoms and reduce the drug intake of the patient. Now with the waiver, the take-home doses are determined based on individual clinical assessments.
The goal is to give more access and flexibility to patients in regards to their treatment options, so it reduces regulatory barriers, allowing them easier access to necessary treatments. Before they were constrained to phase requirements, patients could receive care more effectively based on the new opportunity clinicians will have to tailor treatment plans for their specific needs.
For patients who are looking to receive care from home, they can now receive screenings and evaluations at OTPs via Telehealth, meaning more accessibility for patients who have a hard time making the step to a doctor’s office.
Colleen Snow is the Alcohol and Drug Director for Camden County, and she works with dozens of organizations and groups that help bring harm reduction to the city. This waiver will bring easier access to Camden County and all New Jersey residents who are seeking help from active addiction to opioids.
“It’s a waiver to increase flexibility by reducing barriers. And how would those barriers be reduced? It’s basically reducing in-person requirements and enabling more people to come in,” said Snow, “The goal was also to have more take-home medication, they’re doing well and meeting the requirements like that.”
Last year, the N.J. legislature proposed a bill that would create “remote dosing,” a program that is focused on fighting substance abuse in three cities. Atlantic City and Camden are two of these cities that the state wants to select one of the opioid treatment providers in each area to expand the use of Telehealth for patients that meet standards.
From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the final rules the state had to align with will help promote practitioner autonomy, completely remove outdated language in programs and care, focus on a patient-centered approach, and create more access to receive care.
This is one of the many ways the state is looking to improve care and continue reducing fatal overdose deaths among N.J. residents, however, clinics must have the resources and support to make it work.
- VIDEO: What’s Good in South Jersey? Earth Day in Salem
- CamCo Commissioners Announce Lineup for 2026 Summer Concert Series
- What’s Good in South Jersey? The Cubbyhole
Follow South Jersey provides local journalism which highlights our diverse communities; fosters transparency through robust, localized, and vital reporting that holds leaders and institutions accountable; addresses critical information needs; supports people in navigating civic life; and equips people with the information necessary to partake in effective community engagement. If there is a story or event you think we should cover, please send your tips to news@followsouthjersey.com with “NEWS” in the subject line.
