Prescription Drug Abuse

Big Win Against Opioid Addiction

Submitted by Carmen Balber on Thu, 08/25/2016 - 17:53

For over a decade Bob and Carmen Pack have fought to prevent reckless opioid prescribing after losing their two young children in an accident caused by a driver high on drugs and alcohol.

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Will Prince's Death Finally Spur Opioid Prescribing Reform?

Submitted by Carmen Balber on Tue, 06/14/2016 - 18:00

JUNE 14, 2016 UPDATE: This morning, the Assembly Business and Professions committee voted 16-0 for SB 482 by Senator Lara, to rein in opioid over-prescribing and curb the overdose epidemic.  Prince’s death, and the loss of thousands of Californians every year, has helped spur lawmakers to stand above politics and stand up for reform.

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Drink, Drugs and Disclosure Day For Doctors

Submitted by Carmen Balber on Wed, 04/06/2016 - 15:20

Monday is Drink, Drugs and Disclosure Day for doctors in Sacramento when three major patient safety bills are scheduled to be heard in the Senate Business & Professions committee.

The common theme is oversight and transparency for doctors. Will the Senate require openness and accountability from the medical community, especially when drugs and alcohol are involved?

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California Medical Association Stands Alone Against Prescription Drug Reform

Submitted by Carmen Balber on Wed, 03/16/2016 - 15:26

The California Medical Association should get over its reactionary opposition to reform that would curb the prescription opioid and heroin overdose epidemic.

Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new painkiller prescription guidelines recommending that doctors check state prescription drug databases before prescribing opioids to a patient. This simple tool has been proven to reduce overprescribing, but only when doctors are required to use it.

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Doctors Undermine Major Drug Reform For Foster Kids

Submitted by Eddie Barrera on Wed, 09/09/2015 - 08:51

When the California Senate passed a package of bills in June to curtail the overprescribing of psychotropic medication to foster youth, lawmakers heralded it as an unprecedented attempt to protect the most vulnerable children in California. But the momentum has slowed. 

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What Do Hillary Clinton and Chris Christie Agree On That Sacramento Still Won't Do?

Submitted by Carmen Balber on Wed, 09/02/2015 - 15:06

The prescription drug abuse epidemic has vaulted into the national presidential debate, most recently this week with a Hillary Clinton op-ed in the New Hampshire Union Leader. Clinton wrote about combating addiction, and called for a requirement that health care providers consult a prescription drug monitoring database before prescribing controlled substances.

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