Summer 2011 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: HB 1651 2 FDC Training 2 Why 21? 3 Drug Abuse Trends 4 Benefits of Pre-School 5 Dangerous Season 5 Underage Drinking Expo 5 Resource Guide 6 Happenings 7 Prevention Funding 8 Reality Tour 8 Please feel free to pass our newsletter along to anyone who may be interested. Prevention is the Key to Commonwealth Health: Did you know these facts about Substance Abuse Prevention? Return on Investment : Saves $5 to $25 for every $1 invested in Evidenced Based Programs. Taxpayer Savings: Saves tax payer $$$ across the board in healthcare, criminal justice, education and treatment costs. The Pennsylvania House, Human Services Committee has just concluded hearings on a proposed Prescription Drug Database. Detective Tony Marcocci and Thomas L. Plaitano, Esq. were asked to provide testimony before the Committee regarding our opinion on the need for such a database. Below is a summary of our testimony to the committee. In addition to our testimony, several parents of recently deceased young men and ladies provided heart breaking accounts of their tragedies. The same story was heard over and over again. A young promising life cut short by an accidental prescription drug overdose. All of these lost young lives were from middle class homes with no history of drug or alcohol abuse. Currently, Pennsylvania is one of only four States with- out a database. Unfortunately, the database is being opposed by some physician groups and Associations representing Pharmacies as well as Pharmaceutical Companies. The Committee is seeking further comment on the need for this database from the Prevention and Treatment Fields as well as the public. The proposed legislation is unique in that it is one of the few nation- wide that provides for specific funding for prevention and treatment services for those individuals who are addicted to these controlled substances. We can all thank Majority Chairman, Gene DiGirolamo for his sponsorship of this bill and his continued commit- ment to the issues of drug prevention and treatment in Pennsylvania. The fact that we are discussing this issue confirms that we have a prescription drug problem in Pennsylvania. This problem has no socio-economic bias and it is affecting all age groups. The greatest impact is not only on the adult end user/abuser, it is our youth, the most vulnerable victims of this epidemic. West- moreland County has been especially hard hit by this epidemic. In 2010, accidental overdose deaths as a result of prescription drugs in Westmoreland County reached 57 residents, ranging from as young as 19 to age 71 for the oldest overdose death. During that year, only 5 overdose deaths resulted from Heroin or Metha- done. If that number is not shocking enough, over the last three years 560 individuals were treated at local emergency rooms for overdoses of schedule II and schedule III prescribed medications. Most of these indi- viduals had numerous prescription drugs in their sys- tem. Although no one drug stands out, the most commonly abused are Oxycodone, Roxicodone, OxyCon- tin, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Lorcet and Xanax. Pills are the new drug of choice for our kids. A recent survey showed that children 12 and older are abusing prescription drugs at greater rates than cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, and methamphetamines combined. Only marijuana abuse is more common. Shockingly, every day approximately 7,000 children 12 and older abuse prescription narcotics for the first time. From January to June of 2010, Pennsylvania ranked seventh out of all States in Doses of Oxycodone dispensed. (DEA 3-7- 2011). This is the new crack cocaine epidemic, except that this is far worse. These drugs are more easily ob- tained; the supply is seemingly endless, and our youth falsely believes that prescription narcotics are a safe alternative to other illicit drugs. Also, these drugs are not coming from outside the home or families. In a recent study of youths age 12 to 17 year olds, 55% of those youth obtained their drugs from a relative or friend for free. 18% obtained them from a doctor, 9% paid a rela- tive or friend and 5% took them from a relative or friend without asking. Only 13% obtain the drugs from tradi- tional “drug dealers.” SAMHSA Pub. No. 10-4586. The story of the typical addict is also somewhat unique. Many start as legitimate injured individuals that are seeking medical treatment for pain. They are unaware of the dangers of prescription pain medication, sleep aides and muscle relaxers. Many, when they cannot find a quick solution for their pain seek the services of several doctors who all prescribe pain medications, muscle relaxers or sleep aides. Soon, they are overus- ing these medications to the point of addiction. Once it is determined that they have a problem, the legitimate doctors either stop prescribing the medications or dis- charge them from care. This drives the patient to the street or worse, the well known pill mill down the street or to another state. A recent hospital study proved that in states that had a monitoring system patients received more appropriate care. In the study, 61% of emergency room patients received fewer or no opioid pain medica- tion because they were already taking it from another source. But most interestingly, 39% received more opioid medication than previously planned because the physician could confirm that the patient did not have a history of controlled substance use. Continued page 2 Pennsylvania‟s Prescription Drug Epidemic and The Proposed Controlled Substance Database Legislation HB 1651 Thomas L. Plaitano Esq. Detective Tony Marcocci
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Transcript
Summer 2011
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
HB 1651 2
FDC Training 2
Why 21? 3
Drug Abuse Trends 4
Benefits of Pre-School 5
Dangerous Season 5
Underage Drinking Expo 5
Resource Guide 6
Happenings 7
Prevention Funding 8
Reality Tour 8
Please feel free to pass our
newsletter along to anyone
who may be interested.
Prevention is the Key to Commonwealth Health: Did you know these facts about Substance Abuse Prevention?
Return on Investment : Saves $5 to $25 for every $1 invested in Evidenced Based Programs.
Taxpayer Savings: Saves tax payer $$$ across the board in healthcare, criminal justice, education and treatment costs.
The Pennsylvania House, Human Services Committee
has just concluded hearings on a proposed Prescription
Drug Database. Detective Tony Marcocci and Thomas L.
Plaitano, Esq. were asked to provide testimony before
the Committee regarding our opinion on the need for
such a database. Below is a summary of our testimony
to the committee. In addition to our testimony, several
parents of recently deceased young men and ladies
provided heart breaking accounts of their tragedies.
The same story was heard over and over again. A young
promising life cut short by an accidental prescription
drug overdose. All of these lost young lives were from
middle class homes with no history of drug or alcohol
abuse.
Currently, Pennsylvania is one of only four States with-
out a database. Unfortunately, the database is being
opposed by some physician groups and Associations
representing Pharmacies as well as Pharmaceutical
Companies. The Committee is seeking further comment
on the need for this database from the Prevention and
Treatment Fields as well as the public. The proposed
legislation is unique in that it is one of the few nation-
wide that provides for specific funding for prevention
and treatment services for those individuals who are
addicted to these controlled substances.
We can all thank Majority Chairman, Gene DiGirolamo
for his sponsorship of this bill and his continued commit-
ment to the issues of drug prevention and treatment in
Pennsylvania. The fact that we are discussing this issue
confirms that we have a prescription drug problem in
Pennsylvania. This problem has no socio-economic bias
and it is affecting all age groups. The greatest impact is
not only on the adult end user/abuser, it is our youth,
the most vulnerable victims of this epidemic. West-
moreland County has been especially hard hit by this
epidemic. In 2010, accidental overdose deaths as a
result of prescription drugs in Westmoreland County
reached 57 residents, ranging from as young as 19 to
age 71 for the oldest overdose death. During that year,
only 5 overdose deaths resulted from Heroin or Metha-
done. If that number is not shocking enough, over the
last three years 560 individuals were treated at local
emergency rooms for overdoses of schedule II and
schedule III prescribed medications. Most of these indi-
viduals had numerous prescription drugs in their sys-
tem.
Although no one drug stands out, the most
commonly abused are Oxycodone, Roxicodone, OxyCon-
tin, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Lorcet and Xanax.
Pills are the new drug of choice for our kids. A recent
survey showed that children 12 and older are abusing
prescription drugs at greater rates than cocaine, heroin,
hallucinogens, and methamphetamines combined. Only
marijuana abuse is more common. Shockingly, every
day approximately 7,000 children 12 and older abuse
prescription narcotics for the first time. From January to
June of 2010, Pennsylvania ranked seventh out of all
States in Doses of Oxycodone dispensed. (DEA 3-7-
2011). This is the new crack cocaine epidemic, except
that this is far worse. These drugs are more easily ob-
tained; the supply is seemingly endless, and our youth
falsely believes that prescription narcotics are a safe
alternative to other illicit drugs. Also, these drugs are not
coming from outside the home or families. In a recent
study of youths age 12 to 17 year olds, 55% of those
youth obtained their drugs from a relative or friend for
free. 18% obtained them from a doctor, 9% paid a rela-
tive or friend and 5% took them from a relative or friend
without asking. Only 13% obtain the drugs from tradi-
tional “drug dealers.” SAMHSA Pub. No. 10-4586.
The story of the typical addict is also somewhat unique.
Many start as legitimate injured individuals that are
seeking medical treatment for pain. They are unaware
of the dangers of prescription pain medication, sleep
aides and muscle relaxers. Many, when they cannot
find a quick solution for their pain seek the services of
several doctors who all prescribe pain medications,
muscle relaxers or sleep aides. Soon, they are overus-
ing these medications to the point of addiction. Once it
is determined that they have a problem, the legitimate
doctors either stop prescribing the medications or dis-
charge them from care. This drives the patient to the
street or worse, the well known pill mill down the street
or to another state. A recent hospital study proved that
in states that had a monitoring system patients received
more appropriate care. In the study, 61% of emergency
room patients received fewer or no opioid pain medica-
tion because they were already taking it from another
source. But most interestingly, 39% received more
opioid medication than previously planned because the
physician could confirm that the patient did not have a
history of controlled substance use.
Continued page 2
Pennsylvania‟s Prescription Drug Epidemic and The Proposed Controlled Substance
Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland offers substance abuse, prevention and recovery education programs to Westmoreland County. We serve children, adults, senior citizens and community groups. Please call us today to find out how our programs can help you or your organization. Phone 724-834-1260 x 132 226 South Maple Avenue Greensburg, Pa 15601 [email protected]
Are you interested in someone addressing your group on substance abuse, prevention and recovery?
The Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland Newsletter invites your organization to submit any articles or in-formation for inclusion in the newsletter by contacting CPSW at 724-834-1260 ext. 132 or by faxing your article to
724-853-9572.
Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland, is funded by the Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc., through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
The Department of Health, Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs and the Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc., specifically disclaim responsibility for any analysis, inter-pretations, or conclusions herein.
Page 9 Summer 2011
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