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The Prevention of Prescription Drug Abuse in the Workplace (PAW) TA Center addresses prescription drug abuse—a growing public health problem with increasing burdens on workers, workplaces, and our economy. To subscribe colleagues, family members, or friends to this listserv sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), please click here or send their e-mail addresses to [email protected].
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Featured
P.F. Whiting, R.F. Wolff, S. Deshpande, M. Di Nisio, S. Duffy, A.V. Hernandez, C. Keurentjes, S. Lang, K. Misso, S. Ryder, S. Schmidlkofer, M. Westwood, and J. Kleijnen. 2015. "Cannabinoids for Medical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." JAMA 313(24):2456–473, doi:10.1001/jama.2015.6358.
A systematic review of randomized clinical trials of cannabinoid pharmacotherapy identified 79 trials (6,462 participants), but only 4 were at low risk of bias. Compared with placebo, cannabinoids were associated with improvements in chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting (47 percent vs. 20 percent; odds ratio [OR] 3.8; three trials of low quality), reduced pain (37 percent vs. 31 percent; OR 1.4; eight trials of moderate quality), a greater average reduction in numerical rating scale pain assessment (on a 0–10-point scale; weighted mean difference −0.46; six trials), and average reduction in the Ashworth spasticity scale (−0.36; seven trials of moderate quality). Low-quality evidence also suggested cannabinoids were associated with weight gain in HIV infection, reduced sleep disorders, and reduced episodes of Tourette syndrome. Cannabinoid use increased short-term adverse events, including dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, fatigue, somnolence, euphoria, vomiting, disorientation, drowsiness, confusion, loss of balance, and hallucinations.
Read more:
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2338251
K.P. Hill. 2015. "Medical Marijuana for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Other Medical and Psychiatric Problems: A Clinical Review." JAMA 313(24):2474–483, doi:10.1001/jama.2015.6199.
A second systematic review of 1948–2015 literature identified 28 randomized clinical trials of cannabinoids as pharmacotherapy. Use of marijuana for chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and spasticity due to multiple sclerosis is supported by high-quality evidence. Six trials that included 325 patients examined chronic pain; six trials of 396 patients investigated neuropathic pain; and 12 trials of 1,600 patients focused on multiple sclerosis. The review excluded studies of two Food and Drug Administration–approved cannabinoids (dronabinol and nabilone) for controlling nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and for appetite stimulation in wasting illnesses.
Read more:
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2338266
Xanax Passes Marijuana as Second-Leading Cause of DUI
Amy Yurkanin, Alabama Media Group
June 22, 2015
In Alabama, Xanax passed marijuana as the second-leading cause of impaired driving (after alcohol) in 2011. In 2014, Xanax was involved in 29 percent of impaired driving cases, compared with 23 percent for marijuana.
Read more:
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/06/xanax_passes_marijuana_as_seco.html
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Journal Articles and Reports
P.J. Baranowski, K.L. Peterson, J.L. Statz–Paynter, and J.A. Zorek. 2015. "Incidence and Cost of Medications Dispensed Despite Electronic Medical Record Discontinuation." Journal of the American Pharmacists Association 55(3):313–19. doi:10.1331/JAPhA.2015.14154.
Analysis of electronic medical records, pharmacy records, and prescription claims data showed 7,406 patients (age 18 or older) of Wisconsin-based Dean Health System filled a prescription to treat a chronic condition between June 2012 and August 2013. Among them, 223 (3 percent) had 253 prescriptions dispensed, despite prescription discontinuation. Antihypertensive agents topped the list, followed by (in descending order) anticonvulsants, antilipemics, antidiabetics, and anticoagulants. Nine medications accounted for 59 percent of all events (in descending order): gabapentin, atorvastatin, simvastatin, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, warfarin, furosemide, metformin, and metoprolol. Mail-service pharmacies were most likely to continue dispensing (5.3 percent of prescriptions filled), followed by mass merchandisers (4.6 percent) and small chains (3.9 percent). The wholesale acquisition cost of drugs dispensed was $9,398.
Read more:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26003160
C. Fonga, H. Matusow, C.M. Cleland, and A. Rosenblum. 2015. "Characteristics of Non-Opioid Substance Misusers Among Patients Enrolling in Opioid Treatment Programs: A Latent Class Analysis." Journal of Addictive Diseases, doi:10.1080/10550887.2015.1059226.
Using latent class analysis, this study examined the pattern of nonopioid substance misuse among 19,101 enrollees in 85 U.S. opioid treatment programs. The most frequent nonopioid drugs used were cannabis, anti-anxiety medications, and cocaine. Four nonopioid drug use latent classes were identified: low use (73 percent), prescription drug use (16 percent), marijuana and cocaine use (8.5 percent), and polydrug use (2.5 percent). Compared with the low-use class, participants in other classes were more likely to be female, white, use tobacco, have chronic pain, and use prescription opioids—either with or without heroin.
Read more:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10550887.2015.1059226
J. Gudin, N. Levy–Cooperman, E.A. Kopecky, and A.B. Fleming. 2015. "Comparing the Effect of Tampering on the Oral Pharmacokinetic Profiles of Two Extended-Release Oxycodone Formulations with Abuse-Deterrent Properties." Pain Medicine, doi:10.1111/pme.12834.
In a random sequence, 38 healthy subjects received a standardized high-fat, high-calorie meal with five oxycodone treatments (40 mg): Oxycodone DETERx® (intact or crushed), OxyContin® (intact or crushed), and immediate-release (IR) oxycodone (crushed). Both crushed and intact Oxycodone DETERx® resulted in lower peak plasma concentrations than IR oxycodone. Crushed Oxycodone DETERx® was bioequivalent to intact Oxycodone DETERx® and exhibited a numerically lower maximum concentration. Median time to maximum concentration was unchanged by crushing. In contrast, mean peak plasma oxycodone concentrations for crushed OxyContin® were significantly higher compared with intact OxyContin® and were bioequivalent to IR oxycodone. Median to maximum time for crushed OxyContin® was the same as IR oxycodone and 3.25 hours less than intact OxyContin®.
Read more:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pme.12834/abstract
C.S. Hwang, L.W. Turner, S.P. Kruszewski, A. Kolodny, G.C. Alexander. 2015. "Primary Care Physicians' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Prescription Opioid Abuse and Diversion." Clinical Journal of Pain, doi:10.1097/AJP.0000000000000268.
A nationally representative 2014 mail survey of 1,000 U.S. internists, family physicians, and general practitioners had a 58 percent response rate. Two thirds of respondents correctly reported the most common route of misuse was swallowing pills whole. Forty-six percent erroneously reported that abuse-deterrent formulations were less addictive. Although all respondents said opioid misuse was a problem in their community, one fourth were unconcerned about the potential for opioid diversion from the licit to illicit market. Most supported clinical and regulatory interventions to reduce prescription opioid misuse, including use of patient contracts (98 percent), urine drug testing (90 percent), the check of a centralized database before prescribing opioids (88 percent), and instituting greater restrictions on opioid marketing and promotion (77–82 percent). One third of physicians felt interventions to reduce prescription opioid misuse had a moderate or large adverse effect on patients' clinically appropriate access to pain treatment.
Read more:
http://journals.lww.com/clinicalpain/Abstract/publishahead/Primary
_Care_Physicians__Knowledge_And_Attitudes.99279.aspx
D.M. McCarthy, K.A. Cameron, D.M. Courtney, J.G. Adams, and K.G. Engel. 2015. "Communication About Opioid Versus Nonopioid Analgesics in the Emergency Department." Journal of Opioid Management 11(3), doi:10.5055/jom.2015.0271.
At Chicago's Northwestern University, researchers audiotaped 42 adult emergency department visits for low acuity diagnoses: ankle sprain, back pain, head injury, or laceration. Patients received 56 prescriptions (27 nonopioids, 29 opioids). The prescription process was scored by assigning one point per item for communicating medication name, purpose, duration, and adverse effects, and half a point per item for number of tablets and frequency of use. Median scores were 3 for nonopioids and 4.5 for opioids. Patients were counseled equally about name (99 percent) and purpose (89 percent). Those who received opioids were counseled more frequently about duration of use (69 vs. 41 percent) and adverse effects (93 vs. 18 percent).
Read more:
http://www.wmpllc.org/ojs-2.4.2/index.php/jom/article/view/161
U. Pandya, M.S. O'Mara, W. Wilson, J. Opalek, and M. Lieber. 2015. "Impact of Preexisting Opioid Use on Injury Mechanism, Type, and Outcome." Journal of Surgical Research, doi:10.1016/j.jss.2015.05.033.
Among 3,953 adult patients at a Level 1 trauma center in Columbus, Ohio, who lived for at least 24 hours after presenting, 16 percent were preinjury opioid users, according to electronic medical records and urine drug screen records. Preinjury opioid users were older (48 vs. 41 years) and more likely to be female (38 percent vs. 31 percent) than nonusers. In univariate analysis of less severely injured patients, length of stay was significantly higher in the narcotics group (3.7 vs. 2.9 days).
Read more:
http://www.journalofsurgicalresearch.com/article/S0022-4804(15)00646-0/abstract
A. Peacock, R. Bruno, E. Cama, I. Kihas, B. Larance, N. Lintzeris, A. Hordern, N. White, R. Ali, and L. Degenhardt. 2015. "Jurisdictional Differences in Opioid Use, Other Licit and Illicit Drug Use, and Harms Associated with Substance Use Among People Who Tamper with Pharmaceutical Opioids." Drug and Alcohol Review, doi:10.1111/dar.12279.
Australia's National Opioid Medications Abuse Deterrence study recruited respondents from needle-exchange programs, advertisements, snowball sampling, and other methods. Among face-to-face structured interviews in New South Wales (n = 303), South Australia (n = 150), and Tasmania (n = 153), Tasmanian participants reported greater use and injection of certain pharmaceutical opioids (particularly morphine and methadone tablets) and limited heroin use, with lower rates of engagement in opioid substitution treatment compared with New South Wales participants. New South Wales participants were more socially disadvantaged and more likely to report risky injecting behaviors and injection-related injuries and diseases compared with South Australian and Tasmanian participants. South Australian participants reported greater rates of pain conditions, greater use of pain-based services, and broader use of pharmaceutical opioids in regard to forms and route of administration, compared with New South Wales participants.
Read more:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.12279/abstract
A.J. Visconti, G–M. Santos, N.P. Lemos, C. Burke, and P.O. Coffin. 2015. "Opioid Overdose Deaths in the City and County of San Francisco: Prevalence, Distribution, and Disparities." Journal of Urban Health, doi:10.1007/s11524-015-9967-y.
From 2010 to 2012, 331 San Franciscans died from accidental opioid overdoses (310 involved prescription opioids; 31 involved heroin). Deaths most commonly involved methadone (46 percent), morphine (27 percent), and/or oxycodone (22 percent). Seventy-five percent of deaths also involved other substances—most commonly cocaine (35 percent), benzodiazepines (28 percent), antidepressants (23 percent), and alcohol (20 percent). Deaths were concentrated in a small, high-poverty area of San Francisco and disproportionately affected African Americans. Individuals from affluent areas were more likely to die from using oxycodone and benzodiazepines. Heroin decedents were more likely to be young and die in public spaces.
Read more:
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11524-015-9967-y
S.E. Wixson, K. Blumenschein, A.J. Goodin, J. Talbert, and P.R. Freeman. 2015. "Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Utilization in Kentucky Community Pharmacies." Pharmacy Practice 13(2):540.
A 2009 mail survey of all 1,018 Kentucky pharmacists with a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) account, and an additional 1,000 licensed pharmacists without an account received only 563 responses—meaning survey representativeness may be low. Among the 402 responses from community pharmacists, 84 percent indicated they had used the PDMP or that someone in their pharmacy had used the system. Multivariate regression results found use was higher among respondents in an urban location (relative risk [RR] 1.1) or at an independent pharmacy (RR 1.3).
Read more:
http://pharmacypractice.org/journal/index.php/pp/article/view/540
N. Zhong, Y. Yuan, H. Chen, H. Jiang, J. Du, H. Sun, W. Hao, and M. Zhao. 2015. "Effects of a Randomized Comprehensive Psychosocial Intervention Based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Theory and Motivational Interviewing Techniques for Community Rehabilitation of Patients with Opioid Use Disorders in Shanghai, China." Journal of Addiction Medicine, doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000000139.
This study found only modest outcome differences between opioid use disorder patients in Shanghai randomized to a comprehensive psychosocial intervention (n = 90) compared with usual community care (n = 90). At follow-up, the two groups showed no difference in relapse. The psychosocial intervention group had lower scores in six of nine dimensions of the Symptom Checklist–90: somatization, obsessive compulsiveness, anxiety, phobia/anxiety, paranoia, and psychoticism, and higher scores on two of eight dimensions of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey: physical role and emotional role. Logistic regression analysis suggested phobia anxiety, lifetime heroin or amphetamine use, and injection drug use were risk factors for relapse.
Read more:
http://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/Abstract/publishahead/
Effects_of_a_Randomized_Comprehensive_Psychosocial.99678.aspx
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Professional Education and Policy Debate
R. Damitz and A. Chauhan. 2015. "Parenteral Emulsions and Liposomes to Treat Drug Overdose." Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, doi:10.1016/j.addr.2015.06.004.
This narrative review summarizes the current status of and advances in emulsion and liposome use for detoxification. It suggests directions for developing better therapies.
Read more:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169409X15001167
J.S. Woods and H. Joseph. 2015. "Stigma from the Viewpoint of the Patient." Journal of Addictive Diseases, doi:10.1080/10550887.2015.1059714.
Stigma has become a primary social force facing patients in methadone and buprenorphine treatment. Broad uptake of quality methadone and buprenorphine treatment requires confronting and reducing this negative influence. This paper, co-authored by a patient and professional, discusses stigma and prejudice from the patient's viewpoint. It calls for educational and national strategies using the media and targeted to patients, programs, and the general public.
Read more:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26076048
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National
NABP Continues to Fund PMP InterConnect Participation Supporting States' Momentum in the Fight Against Prescription Drug Abuse
PRNewswire
June 23, 2015
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) approved continued funding of its prescription monitoring program (PMP) InterConnect® at no cost to participating state PMPs through June 2018. Twenty-nine states currently participate. NABP anticipates 70 percent of state PMPs will be connected or working toward a connection in 2015.
Read more:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nabp-continues-to-fund-pmp-interconnect-participation-supporting-states-momentum-in-the-fight-against-prescription-drug-abuse-300103465.html
Road Safe America Applauds Resolution on Truck Safety by the US Conference of Mayors
Jennifer Hedly, Florida Newswire
June 24, 2015
The U.S. Conference of Mayors passed a resolution that urges eliminating legal Schedule II opioid drug use by Heavy Commercial Vehicle drivers. It is currently legal to operate a tractor trailer while using Schedule II opioids, with verbal, undocumented permission from a prescribing professional.
Read more:
http://floridanewswire.com/2015/06/24/fnw17481_134406.php
Massive Fraud Charges for 243 Medical Workers
Standard Examiner
June 20, 2015
The federal government charged 243 people in Medicare and Medicaid fraud sweeps across the country, including 73 from Miami. Losses totaled $712 million. U.S. Attorney General Lynch said the defendants billed for equipment that was not provided, care that was not needed, and services that were not rendered. In Michigan, a physician allegedly prescribed unnecessary narcotic pain relievers in return for use of his patients' IDs to generate additional false billings. If they tried to escape the scheme, he threatened to cut off their medications.
Read more:
http://www.standard.net/Business/2015/06/20/Massive-fraud-charges-for-243-medical-workers.html
When Drug Addicts Work in Hospitals, No One Is Safe
Kurt Eichenwald, Newsweek
June 18, 2015
Radiology technician David Kwiatkowski worked at 19 hospitals spread across several states while addicted to drugs. He learned how to divert drugs from a popular nurse at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, and easily stole injectable fentanyl, Dilaudid, and morphine. Those same syringes were used on patients, spreading Hepatitis C virus to 45 and killing one. Kwiatkowski is serving a 39-year sentence at a maximum-security federal prison for his role in the hepatitis outbreak.
Read more:
http://www.newsweek.com/2015/06/26/traveler-one-junkies-harrowing-journey-across-america-344125.html
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MARIJUANA
V. Laprevote, R. Schwan, T. Schwitzer, B. Rolland, and J. Thome. 2015. "Is There a Place for Off-Label Pharmacotherapy in Cannabis Use Disorder? A Review on Efficacy and Safety." Current Pharmaceutical Design, doi:10.2174/1381612821666150619093940.
A systematic review located 43 articles on medication-assisted treatment for cannabis use disorder. Only 13 were double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trials of off-label cannabis use disorder treatments, and only 4 had positive results. The trials with positive results covered four different drugs: dronabinol, nabiximols, N-acetylcysteine and gabapentin.
Read more:
http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/26088109
R. Vandrey, J.C. Raber, M.E. Raber, B. Douglass, C. Miller, and M.O. Bonn–Miller. 2015. "Cannabinoid Dose and Label Accuracy in Edible Medical Cannabis Products." JAMA 313(24):2491, doi:10.1001/jama.2015.6613.
Of 75 edible medical cannabis products purchased (under 47 different brands) in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, 17 percent were accurately labeled, 23 percent were under-labeled, and 60 percent were over-labeled with respect to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. Over-labeled products were most common in Los Angeles; under-labeled products were common in Seattle. Non–THC content was generally low. Forty-four products (59 percent) had detectable levels of cannabidiol (CBD), but only 13 had labeled CBD content. Four products were over-labeled for CBD, and 9 were under-labeled. The median THC:CBD ratio of products with detectable CBD was 36:1; 7 had ratios of less than 10:1; and only 1 had a 1:1 ratio.
Read more:
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2338239
In Coats V. Dish Network, Don't Blame the Colorado Supreme Court, Blame Congress
John Hudak, Brookings
June 19, 2015
John Hudak shares his views about the Colorado Supreme Court decision Coats v. Dish Network, where Coats sued for wrongful termination after testing positive for marijuana. Hudak agrees the Fair Labor Standards Act only applies to drugs the federal government considers legal.
Read more:
http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/fixgov/posts/2015/06/18-coats-v-dish-network-right-on-colorado-marijuana-law-hudak
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International
Regulators' Investigation into Prescription Fraud Identifies 150 Health Professionals
CNW
June 23, 2015
The College of Physicians and Surgeons and College of Pharmacists of British Columbia concluded separate investigations of prescription fraud in the Lower Mainland. Investigations began in 2013 after two patients discovered someone was using their identities to obtain and fill prescriptions. The suspect obtained more than 250 prescriptions from multiple physicians, then filled those prescriptions at 34 different pharmacies from January 2007 to January 2013. The colleges took disciplinary action against 150 health professionals involved in the scheme.
Read more:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1561091/regulators-investigation-into-prescription-fraud-identifies-150-health-professionals
More Wellington Employees Testing Positive for Illegal Drugs
Chloe Winter, Stuff
June 19, 2015
New Zealand's Drug Detection Agency conducted more than 100,000 drug tests in 2014 among jobseekers and employees in construction, forestry, meatworks, manufacturing, mining, transport, fishing, and other industries. Last year 5.7 percent of tests were positive for illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and synthetic cannabis—an increase of 0.4 percent from 2013. Cannabis was up 3.5 percent, to 82.3 percent of all positive tests. The next most abused drug was methamphetamine, detected in almost 15 percent of all positive tests in 2014. Synthetic and designer drug use also rose. An employment lawyer commented, "Most employers are prepared to spend the money [for pre-employment testing], and they generally have a safety reason around the drug test requirement ... If it comes back negative or people refuse, they [employers] can say 'I'm not taking this application any further.' It's pretty cut and dry."
Read more:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/69485365/more-wellington-employees-testing-positive-for-illegal-drugs
Japanese Police Raid Toyota HQ After Busting a Top American Executive for Prescription Drugs
Joanna Plucinska, Time
June 24, 2015
A senior American executive for Toyota was arrested on suspicion of importing oxycodone, which is restricted in Japan. Police conducted a sweeping raid of Toyota's Japanese headquarters after Julie Hamp was arrested. Hamp claims she takes oxycodone for knee pain.
Read more:
http://time.com/3933354/toyota-drugs-julie-hamp-oxycodone
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Northeast/Mid-Atlantic News
DEA: Prescription Drugs Stolen in Baltimore Flooding the Streets
Wesley Bruer and Evan Perez, CNN
June 25, 2015
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other federal agencies aim to prosecute gang leaders and drug-dealing organizations that looted pharmacies during the Baltimore riots. The DEA circulated pictures of 70 individuals who are directly responsible for the surplus of looted drugs. An influx of drugs on the streets is inflaming turf wars between gangs and independent drug dealers who are competing for territory, contributing to the city's 42 murders in May. (Includes video: 1:52 minutes)
Read more:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/25/politics/baltimore-drug-market-freddie-gray
Responding to Governor Baker's Opioid Working Group Recommendations
Bethany Romano, Brandeis University
June 24, 2015
The Massachusetts Governor's Opioid Working Group released a comprehensive plan calling for more than 65 short- and long-term actions over the next 3 years. Recommendations aim to improve prescribing guidelines, encourage providers to refer patients to addiction and/or pain treatment, make opioid addiction treatment safe and available, and enhance the prescription drug monitoring program to make more effective use of its data.
Read more:
http://heller.brandeis.edu/news/items/releases/2015/clark-pdmp-governor.html
Fire Departments Will Be Supplied With Heroin Antidote
Chris Burek, The Legislative Gazette
June 22, 2015
New York fire departments will be trained in naloxone use through a partnership created by the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
Read more:
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2015-06-22-92197.113122-Fire-departments-will-be-supplied-with-heroin-antidote.html
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Southern News
Florida Attorney General Warns Pregnant Moms Taking Prescription Drugs
Natalie Rubino, WCTV
June 22, 2015
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi warns pregnant women about the effects addictive prescription drugs may have on their unborn children. She encourages those women to visit the Born Drug Free Florida Campaign's website.
Read more:
http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Florida-Attorney-General-Warns-Pregnant-Moms-Taking-Prescription-Drugs--309134461.html
New La. Law Allows Doctors to Prescribe Drugs to Reverse Opiate Overdoses
Sabrina Wilson, WVUE
June 23, 2015
Louisiana's governor signed House Bill 210, allowing doctors to prescribe naloxone to families and friends of drug addicts. (Includes video: 2:47 minutes)
Read more:
http://www.fox8live.com/story/29391692/new-la-law-allows-doctors-to-prescribe-drugs-to-reverse-opiate-overdoses
DEA Trains Local, State Officers to Get More Drugs Off the Streets
Michelle Lady, WLOX
June 20, 2015
The Drug Enforcement Administration hosted a 2-week training for state and local law enforcement on getting prescription drugs, heroin, and cocaine off the streets. Officers also learned how to test drugs without sending them to a lab. They received tactical medic training to render aid during high-stress situations. (Includes video: 2:06 minutes)
Read more:
http://www.wlox.com/story/29365562/dea-trains-local-state-officers-to-get-more-drugs-off-the-streets
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Midwest News
Number of Drug-Dependent Babies Keeps Rising
Laura Ungar, The Courier-Journal
June 26, 2015
Kentucky hospitalizations of drug-dependent newborns increased from 28 in 2000 to 955 in 2013 to 1,409 in 2014.
Read more:
http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2015/06/25/number-drug-dependent-babies-keeps-rising/29293591
Drug That Was Supposed to Stem Kentucky's Heroin Epidemic Creates a Whole New Problem
Mary Meehan, Lexington Herald-Leader
June 20, 2015
Kentucky physicians have new restrictions for prescribing Suboxone that address doctor shopping and misuse. New mandates include more physician education, prescription for medically supervised withdrawal only, restricted prescriptions for pregnant women, close patient monitoring, and drug testing. Some doctors charged Suboxone patients as much as $300 in cash for a therapy-free office visit that included a prescription for the maximum allowable amount of Suboxone, and some patients were taking the maximum dose indefinitely. The Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure said doctors prescribed Suboxone along with other opiates, benzodiazepines, and narcotics. Since 2011, the board has sanctioned 10 doctors for problematic Suboxone prescribing.
Read more:
http://www.kentucky.com/2015/06/20/3910362_the-drug-that-was-supposed-to.html?rh=1
Record Number of Ohioans Die from Drug Overdoses
The Courier
June 24, 2015
U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown's office reported that a record 2,110 people died from drug overdoses in Ohio in 2013, with 10,231 overdose deaths recorded between 2008 and 2013. Senator Brown hopes to increase access to treatment options.
Read more:
http://thecourier.com/breaking-news/2015/06/24/record-number-of-ohioans-die-from-drug-overdoses
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West News
Records Detail Drug Deals at Boeing Everett Plant
Rikki King, Everett Herald
June 23, 2015
Boeing employees reportedly used the company's in-house instant messaging service to buy and sell oxycodone, morphine, Adderall, and amphetamine at the Paine Field plant in Everett, Wash. They had code names for different drugs, prices, and transaction meetups. They also discussed how to doctor shop. The employees involved in the incident were fired, but no charges were filed.
Read more:
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20150623/NEWS01/150629730
Investigation: Oregon Police Officer Took Drugs from Evidence, Med Drop Before Death
Jeff Glaze, Wisconsin State Journal
June 24, 2015
Karey Clark, an Oregon police officer who died unexpectedly in January, was stealing drugs from the department's evidence room and prescription drug disposal box.
Read more:
http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/investigation-oregon-police-officer-took-drugs-from-evidence-med-drop/article_df43fbfd-a811-5022-bc5d-e3f987eb25d6.html
Bill Aims to Reduce Prescription Drug Overdose Deaths
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS
June 22, 2015
California SB 482 would require doctors to check the state's prescription drug monitoring program before prescribing Schedule II or III drugs. The California Medical Association complained the mandate would interfere with the practice of medicine. (Includes audio: 55 seconds)
Read more:
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2015/jun/22/bill-aims-reduce-prescription-drug-overdose-deaths
New Prescription Drug Database
Melanie Mason, Los Angeles Times
June 23, 2015
Some California health providers expressed concern about the incompatibility of the enhanced prescription drug monitoring program database with their computer systems. The database, which rolls out July 1, will not work with older versions of Internet Explorer and some electronic health records.
Read more:
http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-prescription-drug-database-20150623-story.html
Report: More Pima County Residents Die from Drugs than Car Wrecks
Bud Foster, KOLD
June 22, 2015
Last year in Pima County, Ariz., more people died from drug overdoses than from car crashes. Heroin overdose deaths rose from 36 in 2012 to 77 in 2014. (Includes video: 3:01 minutes)
Read more:
http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/29379288/death-report-for-pima-county-in-2014
Heroin Overdose Deaths Up in King Co.
KIRO
June 19, 2015
Heroin-related deaths in King County, Wash., rose from 99 in 2013 to 156 in 2014, despite efforts to expand access to overdose and addition treatments.
Read more:
http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/kinhhhhg-county-drug-overdose-deaths-particularly-hero/nmgxT
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Other Resources
Teva Launches PainMatters.com to Support Responsible Pain Management
Market Watch
June 24, 2015
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries launched PainMatters.com, which is designed to help healthcare professionals and people affected by pain navigate the complex treatment landscape.
Read more:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/teva-launches-painmatterscom-to-support-responsible-pain-management-2015-06-24?reflink=MW_news_stmp
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Grant Announcement
Partnership for Clean Competition (PCC)
Pre-applications due March 1, July 1, and November 1
Full applications due April 1, August 1, and December 1
PCC–supported research contributes to a movement in addressing doping's root causes and decreasing use of performance-enhancing drugs. It supports projects focused on improving existing methods for detecting particular drugs, developing analytical methods to test for undetectable substances, and discovering cost-effective approaches for testing widely abused substances across all levels of sport.
Read more:
http://www.cleancompetition.org/Pages/programs-grants.aspx
2015 Healthy Living Grant Program
American Medical Association
Deadline: September 11, 2015, 5 p.m. CT
Funding will support projects in Youth-Focused Prescription Medication Safety and Cancer Prevention Education.
Read more:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/ama-foundation/our-programs/public-health/healthy-living-grants.page?
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Take-Back Events and Drop Boxes
Level Plains to Have Prescription Drug Take Back Event
Cassie Gibbs, The Southeast Sun (Alabama)
June 22, 2015
http://www.southeastsun.com/news/article_e172a6f6-1918-11e5-a591-5bbc5bd41011.html
Prescription Medication Collection Box
The Garden City News (New York)
June 26, 2015
http://www.gcnews.com/news/2015-06-26/Community/Prescription_medication_collection_box.html
Grand Forks Residents Encouraged to Properly Dispose of Medications at Site
Grand Forks Herald (North Dakota)
June 23, 2015
http://www.grandforksherald.com/news/local/3771758-grand-forks-residents-encouraged-properly-dispose-medications-site
Pee Dee Residents Properly Dispose of Unused Prescription Drugs in Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Jamarlo Phillips, WBTW (South Carolina)
June 20, 2015
http://www.wbtw.com/story/29369814/pee-dee-residents-properly-dispose-of-unused-prescription-drugs-in-prescription-drug-take-back-day
Medicine Drop-Off Box Placed at Sheriff's Office
Nathaniel Miller, Odessa American (Texas)
June 23, 2015
http://www.oaoa.com/news/crime_justice/article_d62e7fac-19e7-11e5-813f-23654adbb9b7.html
Prescription Drug Take-Back Expanded in Va. Beach
Elisabeth Hulette, The Virginia Pilot (Virginia)
June 19, 2015
http://hamptonroads.com/2015/06/prescription-drug-takeback-expanded-va-beach
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Upcoming Conferences and Workshops
Mid-Year Training Institute
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
August 2–6, 2015
Indianapolis, Indiana
http://www.cadca.org/myti
Register:
http://www.cadca.org/events/14th-annual-mid-year-training-institute-0/registration
Fourth Annual Generation Rx University Conference for Collegiate Prevention and Recovery
The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy
August 4–6, 2015
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.pharmacy.ohio-state.edu/calendar/national-meeting
28th Annual National Prevention Network Conference: Bridging Research to Practice
National Prevention Network
November 17–19, 2015
Seattle, Washington
http://www.npnconference.org
Register:
http://www.npnconference.org/registration
2016 National Rx Drug Summit
March 28–31, 2016
The Westin Peachtree Plaza
Atlanta, Georgia
http://nationalrxdrugabusesummit.org
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The Weekly Update is a service provided by the SAMHSA Preventing Prescription Abuse in the Workplace Technical Assistance Center (PAW) to keep the field abreast of recent news and journal articles to assist in forming policy, research, and programs to reduce prescription drug misuse or abuse. Please note, the materials listed are not reflective of SAMHSA's or PAW's viewpoint or opinion and are not assessed for validity, reliability or quality. The Weekly Update should not be considered an endorsement of the findings. Readers are cautioned not to act on the results of single studies, but rather to seek bodies of evidence. Copyright considerations prevent PAW from providing full text of journal articles listed in the Weekly Update. |
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