Seldom do 'new' regulations come down the paper chute without either lead time or a grace period.  To be “caught off guard” is suspicious to me.  Either someone was fudging the rules to start with or some nitpicking lawyer filed a 'technical' grievance with the DEA regarding PA's.  All PA's are supposed to be operating under a MD's 'direct' supervision, otherwise they could not write prescriptions for anything.

So the question is are PA's capable to prescribe the controlled substances to treat the addicts.  Simple solution, the PA's get certified by the DEA or have the MD that they are under sign for them.  Not a complicated problem unless you are a government agency.  

Of course there is always the question of money!  They would need more money from the State to do this.