judy cushing
DESCRIPTION
Two Models on New Approaches for Community-Based Anti-Drug CoalitionNational Rx Drug Abuse Summit 4-10-12TRANSCRIPT
Two Models on New Approaches for Community-Based Anti-Drug Coalition:
State of Oregon and the US Military
April 10-12, 2012 Walt Disney World Swan Resort
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe multiple strategies community anti-drug coalitions in Oregon are employing to prevent prescription drug abuse. 2. Describe how substance abuse is affecting our military personnel and their families and explain the military’s Prevention, Treatment and Outreach prevention initiative. 3. Specify the successes and challenges of a variety of prevention strategies and explain how these strategies can be implemented in both rural and urban communities.
Disclosure Statement
• All presenters for this session, Judy Cushing and Peggy Quigg, have disclosed no relevant, real or apparent personal or professional financial relationships.
THE RX DRUG ABUSE EPIDEMIC – A State’s Collective Approach
to Policy Change
Judy Cushing CEO
April 10-12, 2012 Walt Disney World Swan Resort
Oregon’s Rx Abuse Scene
• High Overdose Rates (400 / year) • Different Challenges Urban vs. Rural • High Rates of Student Use • Glorification of Rx in Pop Culture • Rx Abuse among Returning Soldiers
And Veterans
Statewide Summits 2010 and 2011
Critical Elements:
• Lead by High Level Leaders • National, State, and Local Data • Engaged the Business Community • Many Coalitions Involved • Robust Testimony and Dialogue
Overview: Challenges and Opportunities
Prescription Drug Monitoring
• Challenges in Oregon • Best Practices in Other States • Third Party Payer Efforts and Experiences
• Health Professionals – Best Practices for Graduate and Undergraduate Training • Pain Management - Assessing Patients for Opioid Therapy and Nonopioid Management • Pharmacists • Medical and Dental Professionals • Treatment Community
Provider Perspectives
Public Education
• Changing the Norm Public Education /Outreach Media
• REMS Abuse Deterrent Drugs and FDA’s Safe Use Initiative
• Safe Rx Disposal and Drop Boxes – L/E & DEA • Employer /HR Training
Returning Veterans
• Ease of Access to Rx
• Double Trouble: Physical and Mental Trauma and Injury
• Poor access to Treatment
Education Leaders • Who to Engage…. – School Boards – Administrators / School Leadership – School Counselors – Coaches
• How? – Tool Kit for Educators – Training – Professional Development
Overarching Summit Recommendation
Develop and enact statewide policies that reduces prescription drug abuse, without
restricting safe access, focusing on the following areas:
Recommendation for: Prescribers: Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
• Assessing risk should be a universal precaution taken w/ all patients • Assessment should be incorporated as a standard practice when prescribing not just opioids, but with any prescription with significant abuse potential.
Recommendation for: Health Insurers
• Insurance companies must develop protocols & implement better training for their investigators about recognizing and handling Rx drug diversion • States can reduce diversion and abuse of Rx medications, as well as medicaid expenses, through increased monitoring
Recommendations for Electronic Systems and Controls
• E-prescribing systems must include a number of safeguards to protect patient privacy and information security • Prescription forgery and diversion can be greatly reduced through an effective e-prescribing system
Recommendations for: Prescription Monitoring Programs
• Patient confidentiality must be protected • Health care professionals must be granted access to data about their patients so they can conduct an evaluation of patient’s use • Law enforcement should be allowed access, but only with probable cause.
Recommendations for Law Enforcement
• Dedicate an investigator to pursue Rx theft, forgery & manipulation and diversion, possession & illegal distribution of Rx medications. • Investigators should work closely with medical experts to differentiate between a criminal case and a well intentioned doctor • Compile data systematically to determine pills diverted through thefts and losses from the supply chain, the internet, int’l smuggling, Rx forgery, doctor shopping, and patients selling or sharing meds Assign an Officer to the prevention of Rx drug diversion or abuse
Recommendations for Public Education and Advocacy
• Focused education on safe storage and disposal of prescription medications to prevent theft and misuse • Locking medicine cabinets should become standard practice nationwide • Pharmacies should stock lockboxes and encourage consumers to store Rx meds in a locked box.
Recommendations for: Safe Storage / Responsible Disposal
• A take back program should be coupled with strong public education efforts on safe medication disposal. • A buy back program or pharmacy coupons in exchange could offer an incentive to responsible disposal
