Sept. 21, 2004 The Health Department's methadone program has received full accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Dr. Celia Victor said Tuesday.
"It's a big deal," she said.
Victor, who heads the program, credited the staff of about 30 people for their hard work in securing accreditation, which was received in August.
The methadone program comes under the Health Department's Mental Health, Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Services Division.
Victor said the methadone program is located at Charles Harwood Medical Complex in St. Croix. The Health Department does not have a similar program in St. Thomas.
She said the program received accreditation on its first try. The process began almost a year ago.
Victor said the JCAHO accreditation came with the requirement that the department continue to upgrade the program and tighten personnel procedures.
"Everything always needs to be improved," she said.
The program currently serves 25 to 30 people, according to Victor.
Additionally, she said vacationers who are on a methadone program get their doses at Charles Harwood.
Victor said the next step is to secure accreditation for the entire Mental Health, Alcoholism and Dependency Services Division.
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