For more than 30 years this synthetic narcotic has been used to treat opioid addiction. Taken orally once a day, methadone suppresses narcotic withdrawal for between 24 and 36 hours. Because it is effective in eliminating withdrawal symptoms, it is used in detoxifying opiate addicts. It is only effective in cases of addiction to heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs, and is not an effective treatment for other drugs of abuse. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) provides the heroin addict with individualized health care and medically prescribed methadone to relieve withdrawal symptoms, reduces the opiate craving, and brings about a biochemical balance in the body. About 20 percent of the estimated 810,000 heroin addicts in the United States receive MMT. At present, the operating practices of clinics and hospitals are bound by Federal regulations that restrict the use and availability of methadone. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposes that programs will establish quality assurance guidelines and have to be accredited, allowing greater flexibility by the treating physician and ensuring appropriate clinical management of the patient’s needs. This proposed change in policy would eliminate most of the current regulations and allow greater clinical discretion for treatment by the physician. Research and clinical studies suggest that long-term MMT is medically safe. Evidence shows that continuous MMT is associated with several other benefits: it is a cost-effective alternative to incarceration; and it decreases the rate of HIV infection for those participating in MMT programs. 1 figure and 14 references.