IRVINE, Calif. (Oct. 11, 2023) — The University of California, Irvine School of Law (UCI Law) is pleased to share that the Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics has published an article that recent UCI Law graduate Sarah Beydoun (’23) and third-year student Lucrece Borrego co-authored with Kellen Russoniello, senior policy counsel at the Drug Policy Alliance, and Cailin Harrington, a former summer intern at the Drug Policy Alliance. Beydoun and Borrego worked on the article as interns at the Drug Policy Alliance as part of UCI Law’s Michael G. Ermer Pro Bono Program.
The article, “State-Specific Barriers to Methadone for Opioid Use Disorder,” provides a state-by-state analysis of laws and regulations that go beyond the federal requirements for accessing methadone in seven main categories. The abstract of the article posits “opioid agonist treatment, including methadone, is the safest and most effective method for treating opioid use disorders and reduces opioid overdose deaths. While access to methadone is highly regulated by federal law, a substantial portion of states impose stricter barriers.”
The authors’ aim for the article is to “help advocates identify what changes need to be made at the state level for increasing access to this lifesaving medication,” according to Kellen Russoniello, senior policy counsel at the Drug Policy Alliance and lead author of the article.
About the University of California, Irvine School of Law The University of California, Irvine School of Law is a visionary law school that provides an innovative and comprehensive curriculum, prioritizes public service, and demonstrates a commitment to equity within the legal profession. Nearly half of all UCI Law’s J.D. graduates are people of color, and almost a third are first-generation students. At UCI Law, we are driven to improve our local, national, and global communities by grappling with important issues as scholars, as practitioners, and as teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders. The collaborative and interdisciplinary community at UCI Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, X, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UCI Law.