Drug Treatment Choice Program Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration
The tragic human and socio-economic costs associated with substance abuse are tremendous. Substance abuse is a major factor in a variety of social and public health problems plaguing the District of Columbia. Lack of access to effective treatment can be a serious barrier to recovery for substance abusers.
Responding to the challenges faced by its residents, the District of Columbia City Council passed The Choice in Drug Treatment Act of 2000, D.C. Law 13-146, mandating the implementation of the Drug Treatment Choice Program” (DTCP)*. In July of 2002, the DOH adopted emergency and proposed rules that set forth guidelines to implement the Act.
Drug Treatment Choice Program -- DC Department of Health
825 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Project Manager: Carol Ware
Telephone: (202) 442-9159 Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday,
9 am - 5 pm
The purpose of the DTCP is to facilitate access by District residents to quality substance abuse treatment services at the certified treatment program of their choice, in consultation with a qualified substance abuse counselor, and subject to the availability of funds. A patient seeking treatment and meeting certain eligibility criteria under the law, may choose to enroll in a provider’s program at government expense.
Likewise, providers may participate in the DTCP if their program meets the requirements specified in the regulations. In order to participate as a treatment provider in the DTCP, an application should be submitted to APRA for certification. APRA then determines the program’s certification status pursuant to District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) Section 29, Title 24.
