Here is how you add your ideas - How do you think we could prevent future prescription and alcohol abuse in Utah County? Here are some options:
- Post your ideas on this blog (please indicate if your idea is for prescription or alcohol)
- Email Kye your ideas at mailto:mKyeN.UCADM@state.ut.us
- We have already started a list of ideas on our website and will add your ideas to that list (to view ideas see: http://sites.google.com/site/utahcountycoalition/Home/strategies. I strongly encourage you to view this page.
The coalition will, in the next few months, invest coalition money in the ideas best calculated to reduce substance abuse. This is your community, money will be invested here, be part of the conversation.
Thanks for your input!
SMART Management Team
A little comic relief :)
6 comments:
POST BY DR. STEPHEN NELSON
I have been informed by coalition members who are in law enforcement that they cannot inform a narcotic-prescribing physician or provider if one of their patients has been arrested for a narcotic-related DUI. The “need to know” on the part of healthcare providers seems obvious. However, law enforcement officers are concerned that they would be violating HIPAA laws were they to provide such information.
Law enforcement officers should be able to:
1. Notify prescribing healthcare providers of any narcotic-related DUI.
2. Post such a violation on the state Controlled Substance Database (CSDB/DOPL).
Stephen Nelson, MD
Intermountain WorkMed Springville
85 S 400 E
Springville, UT 84663
(801) 491-6400 phone
(801) 491-6449 fax
POST BY DR. STEPHEN NELSON
The state of Utah has its own narcotic-prescribing license, similar to a DEA license. Anyone prescribing narcotics in the state of Utah must be licensed by the state to do so. After the initial license has been granted, the license must be renewed periodically (every 4 to 5 years, as I recall).
There is a test administered at the time of initial licensure which assesses knowledge of best narcotic-prescribing practices. (I do not recall having been tested again at the time of renewal of my license.) This licensing process, while well-intentioned, is not adequately meeting the need for more knowledgeable providers.
This could possibly become a much more effective tool for assessing and upgrading provider knowledge. The addition of a well-crafted continuing medical education offering/requirement on the topic of narcotics prescribing practices (ie, how to use CSDB/DOPL) might be incorporated into the process of obtaining and renewing this license.
Stephen Nelson, MD
Intermountain WorkMed Springville 385 S 400 E
Springville, UT 84663
(801) 491-6400 phone
(801) 491-6449 fax
POST BY Lisa Brereton
I really feel that doctors need to monitor, and be more cautious of their patience of how much, and how often they are prescribing these medications. I also feel that they need to be more aware if their patience really need it, because for all they know they could be taking that medication and making a prophet from it, and yes, I have seen it happen, then it gets into the hands of those that are addicted to these kinds of drugs, especially are youth. Alcohol of course is another big problem, I truly feel that stores who are selling the alcohol should take into consideration of the possibilities that the alcohol they are propheting from could also get into the hands of minors, and that they should only sell small portions. they should try and prophet from how many lives they can save by keeping drunk drivers off of the road, instead of propheting from how many sells they make. if we could get the help and support from these stores, doctors and the community, then we could prevent the majority of this drug and alcohol problem from effecting the lives of many people. There also needs to be more awareness in our schools, we need to have more guest speakers, and people who may have experienced drug, or alcohol addiction. We need to empfisize, and talk more about it among our youth, and for them to be cautious of the dangers, and harm it will cause them if they choose to be peer-pressured into it. We just need to come together and do all we can to get this problem under control. I would like to hear others Ideas as well.
Lisa Brereton
Truancy Reduction Specialist
Orem High School
SMART'ies,
Really appreciated the discussion w/ Erin Johnson. Dean's comments were right on the money. I believe we need to include education on the use of the DOPL website for all healthcare providers.
Don Fairbanks.
KEVIN SCHOLZ SAID
In my mind decreasing supply should be the priority. This can be done by:
1. Mandatory training for Doctors and Dentists about the addictive
nature of these prescription painkillers, and providing dispensing
guidelines.
2. Reducing the total number of dosages that are being dispensed.
3. Providing information to the public about the dangers of
addiction, abuse, and drug seeking associated with the medications.
4. Limit the number of abused drugs harvested from home medicine
cabinets through informational campaigns such as "Clean out the
Cabinet".
You asked that each member take a minute and list what we each would
consider priorities. Mine are:
1. Requiring that prescribers of painkillers take a test to update their
knowledge of the appropriate use and dangers of prescription narcotics. I
think it would be great if it were a CEU program that needed to be fulfilled
every couple of years.
2. Update/integrate the DOPL database to help identify drug shoppers and
over prescribers by requiring that it logged into as part of the prescribing
protocol.
3. Revise prescribing guidelines to limit the total number of dosages
prescribed/dispensed at one time.
4. Require pharmacist to counsel with customers concerning the proper use
and dangers associated with the prescribed medication. This counseling
should include information about the dangers of keeping unused dosages
around the home, and how to dispose of them properly.
5. Work to establish pharmacy "take-back" programs. Programs might include
incentives such as a discount on the next prescription as unused dosages for
the previous are returned. I think that this approach will be far more
effective in the long run as opposed to "drop boxes", not only safer and
easier to manage, but improved chance of participation by the public as it
helps their pocketbook.
6. Launch a county wide informational "Clean Out The Cabinet" campaign to
accomplish the following:
a. Help citizens understand that their medicine cabinets are a
significant source of supply for the prescription drugs which are
being abused.
b. Help citizens understand the nature of, and methods used by the
prescription drug abuse culture so that they can protect themselves,
family, and friends.
c. Help citizens understand that these prescription drugs should
either be disposed of or locked up.
d. Help citizens understand that prescription drugs should be
properly disposed of, and how to do so.
e. Help citizens understand the legalities of using prescription
drugs properly.
f. Help citizens understand that prescription drugs are every bit
as dangerous as illicit drugs when used improperly.
I really think that he measures that I have noted above would do much to
limit the availability of prescription drugs to be abused. If you cut off
the supply, you largely eliminate the problem.
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