The use of narcotic treatments for opiate addiction has been subject to extensive regulation. State and Federal agencies share responsibilities for approving, disapproving, monitoring, and setting standards for opioid addiction pharmacotherapy programs. There has been an ongoing collaboration of States in the Southeast Region around the impact of methadone treatment on interstate service delivery. The Region recognized that consistency of standards across States was key to ensuring safe and effective services for patients receiving opioid substitution therapy and agreed to work together. The standards presented in this document represent a consensus of all 12 States that signed a Memorandum of Agreement on April 22, 1994. The document contains information about program development, operations and monitoring, quality assurance, staffing, ethics and patient assessment, placement, and treatment. It may also serve as a reference for Federal agencies and State authorities involved in program oversight, management, and technical assistance. References, appendixes