(a) For the purpose of providing more effective treatment and rehabilitation, the records and name of any drug dependent person who seeks or obtains treatment, therapeutic advice, or counsel from any program licensed under this chapter shall be confidential and shall not be revealed except to the extent authorized in writing by the drug dependent person affected. Any communication by such drug dependent person to an authorized employee of any licensee shall be deemed confidential; provided, however, that, except for matters privileged under other laws of this state, the records of such person and information about such person shall be produced in response to a valid court order of any court of competent jurisdiction after a full and fair show-cause hearing and in response to a departmental request for access for licensing purposes when such request is accompanied by a written statement that no record of patient identifying information will be made.

(b) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to prevent the department from operating a central registry pursuant to Code Section 26-5-60, and nothing in this Code section shall prevent or inhibit narcotic treatment programs from providing the department with requested information for the purpose of maintaining such central registry or for maintaining any other registry or database as required by federal law or regulation.