Washington, D.C. – On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a package of bipartisan bills aimed at addressing the opioid abuse crisis including the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act (H.R. 5046). This bill would authorize $103 million in grants to states for programs aimed at providing substance abuse treatment. Included in the bill is a bipartisan measure introduced by Representatives Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) and Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), which would allow grant funding to be used for the development of interoperable multi-state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs). California and Georgia are among the states utilizing PDMPs.
“Prescription drug abuse is an epidemic that impacts families and communities across our country. By tracking the sale and purchase of prescription drugs both within and between states we can greatly reduce ‘doctor shopping.’ Drug addiction is a preventable disease, and I am proud to have championed legislation as a state senator to fully implement California’s existing PDMP that has successfully registered over 200,000 prescribers and dispensers. On a national level, our bipartisan measure will bolster new and existing PDMPs by helping to develop multi-state monitoring programs to prevent addicts from crossing state lines to fill prescriptions. I thank Representative Buddy Carter for working with me to improve the effectiveness of one of the most important tools in the fight against opioid abuse,” said Representative DeSaulnier.
“As a lifelong pharmacist and the author of the Georgia Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, I know firsthand that Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs are key to fighting prescription drug abuse in America,” said Representative Carter. “To increase the effectiveness of these programs, states must be able to work together. Unfortunately, today, most states are not interoperable and that is why this amendment is so important. States should have every opportunity to share information effectively and efficiently about patients and the patterns that occur with interstate prescription drug trafficking. I thank Representative Sensenbrenner for the underlying legislation and Representative DeSaulnier for working with me to ensure Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs are as effective as possible.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prescription drug abuse has risen to epidemic proportions over the last decade. It is estimated that 44 Americans die every day from a prescription painkiller overdose. The bipartisan package of bills, including H.R. 5046, now moves to a House and Senate conference committee, and is expected to be signed into law in the near future.
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We’re finally seeing drug abuse as a medical issue and not a criminal issue. Which is why our mental health situation is in need of help as well.
Did you know that in the states where adults are allowed to purchase medical cannabis, prescription pill related deaths have already been reduced by 25 percent?
http://www.newsweek.com/states-medical-marijuana-painkiller-deaths-drop-25-266577
http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20140825/fewer-painkiller-deaths-in-states-with-medical-marijuana-study
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Why are you so into weed Keenan? Do you have glaucoma or something?
It’s not so much about being “into weed” as it is being into the natural right/civil liberty for adults to responsibly medicate themselves as they so wish. Cannabis is not only an obvious better alternative to opioids for many different illnesses (as these stats show), but has many healthful benefits for those without terminal issues.
It’s not so much about being “into weed” as it is about being into safer alternatives for our fellow citizens. Considering the massive annual death toll worldwide due to pharmaceutical drugs, as well as a multitude of different cancers currently ravaging many lives, cannabis is a godsend.
P.S. Keenan?
Your response would be accurate and truthful if it were coming from somebody who was just trying to prove a point about pain management and health.
But you’re previous monologues about God putting THC receptors in the human brain for a reason kind of waters down your point. Because it’s the nature of Man and animal to constantly want to alter their consciousness, right?
I think it’s very much being “into weed” in your case! Own it brother. You didn’t answer though…do you have some sort of medical condition, or do you just really like getting high?
As much as I’d love to engage you, Nick, you’ve continually ignored basic arguments in turn for some detective kick where you uncover my supposed multiple online identities. I’d rather talk ideas rather than split hairs, you know? Internet debate is for the growth and development of thoughts/community, not a buffet of ad hominem attacks.
What ends up happening is I turn to a bunch of Devil’s advocate arguments (God and the brain receptors, for example, despite me being an unbeliever) in an effort to stoke conversation, but to no avail. Goodbye, Nick, until next time…or should I say, goodbye RJB?
“To give truth to him who loves it not is to only give him more multiplied reasons for misinterpretation.” (George McDonald)
It’s hard to take your arguments and debates seriously when you use multiple aliases and opinions to support your hidden agenda. It just looks shady….so I think it’s funny to point it out.
I guess I just find it interesting that you are so passionate about getting high. It’s something I grew out of in my late teens/early twenties when life and responsibility took over. Trying to be open minded about it, just hard to imagine. This topic has no mention of race, so that should rule me out as RJB.
“I don’t know the difference between a hippie and a hipster. But it’s fun to watch either one of them get beat up.” (Norm McDonald)
So let’s get this straight…it’s already clear that RJB, Nick, and Concerned Antioch Resident are all the same dude, but now this “Gabe Bathouze” in on the multi-personality fun too? Y’all are clever 🙂
It’s been a pleasure ruffling so many feathers, but who would’ve thought they were all from the same chicken? Good night, friend(s).
Just more bored politicians making new laws dictating the publics personal lives. The politicians need to remove two existing nonsense laws for each new one added. If not reduce the number of political lawmakers. The government needs to get out of telling the public they know what’s better for our personal lives. Vote socialist Bernie or Dictator Hilary.
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