Two months after Missouri tightened its rules on methadone, federal scientists suggest easing methadone prescription.
Rebecca Sapakie has more at the Capitol.
Methadone is used to help heroin addicts ease withdrawl pains during detox.
Both federal and state agencies impose strict rules on methadone prescription. But, scientists now say that loosening these rules would up the number of addicts methadone can help.
However, Missouri's drug abuse director, Michael Couty (COO-tee), disagrees. He says strict rules are important in curbing black market sales of methadone.
Couty (COO-tee) wants to ensure Missouri's rules won't attract too many out-of-state addicts.
I'm Rebecca Sapakie in Jefferson City.