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July 13, 2006 – Today, Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge), and members of the Massachusetts OxyContin and Other Drug Abuse Commission released a report that addressed the growing crisis of prescription medication abuse such the popular pain-killer, OxyContin. The report provides policy and legislative recommendations to address the problem.
At the State House, Senator Moore, co-chairman of the Commission thanked the dedicated professionals and medication experts who serve on the commission and the people who provided their personal experiences that put a face on the problem of OxyContin abuse. However, he feels that this report should not be viewed as the end, but as a beginning. “We can’t consider our job done by releasing a glossy report. A meaningful difference can only be achieved if we implement the four action steps recommended in the report,” Moore, explained.
The action steps recommended in the report are:
1. Prevention and Education: The Department of Public Health (DPH) and other applicable state agencies shall provide a report and testimony to the Committee on Public Health on their progress in implementing the prevention, education and training efforts outlined.
2. Distribution, Dispensing, Handling and Disposal: The DPH and the Board of Registration in Pharmacy shall present plans to the Committee on Public Health on their implementation of the recommendations outlined for the proper distribution, dispensing, handling and disposal of schedule II drugs and other prescription drugs that are prove to abuse.
3. Prescribing and Monitoring: The DPH shall prepare a report and provide testimony to the Committee on Public Health on the progress DPH has made in redesigning and expanding the scope of its Prescription Monitoring Program and report procedures to accomplish the recommendations.
4. Expanded Access to Treatment: The DPH shall provide and annual report and testimony to the Committee on Public Health on the access and availability of treatment services for prescription and other drug dependence and abuse.
According the findings in the report, the abuse of prescription drugs now stands only second (as a group) behind marijuana on the list of commonly abused drugs.
“Too often the usual reaction to a problem such as drug abuse, whether it’s abuse of illegal drugs or prescription drugs, is to ban the drug or add stiffer new penalties,” Moore said. “However, those steps are much too late and happen after too many people have died. We need to focus on prevention and education, the distribution and dispensing, prescribing and monitoring and, most important, access to treatment.”
Referring to statements given at the Commission’s hearings held throughout the state, Senator Moore was particularly moved by the testimony they heard from so many people about a family member who abused drugs who, when they finally realized they needed help, had to wait for weeks to get treatment.
“Too often the moment passed, the person reverted to drug use and later died before they could get treatment,” Senator Moore continued saying. “We must expand access to treatment, especially to proven programs that work!”
“Let’s applaud this report today, but also start today to advocate the changes needed and the funding needed to implement all of the action steps listed.”
Final Report of the Massachusetts OxyContin and Other Drug Abuse Commission
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