Resolution Urging States and Interested Parties to Partner and Identify Opportunities to Address and Reduce Prescription Drug Abuse and Misuse Exposed

The Resolution Urging States and Interested Parties to Partner and Identify Opportunities to Address and Reduce Prescription Drug Abuse and Misuse was considered by ALEC's Health and Human Services Task Force at the States and Nation Policy Summit on December 2, 2011. This bill was part of the ALEC task force agenda between 2010 and 2012, but due to incomplete information, it is not known if the bill passed in a vote by legislators and lobbyists at ALEC task force meetings, if ALEC sought to distance itself from the bill as the public increased scrutiny of its pay-to-play activities, or if key operative language from the bill has been introduced by an ALEC legislator in a state legislature in the ensuing period or became binding law.

ALEC Draft Bill Text

SUMMARY

This resolution calls on state officials, prescribers, pharmacists, school-based organizations, and manufacturers of branded and generic prescription medications to partner and evaluate existing efforts aimed at deterring prescription drug abuse; to determine the effectiveness of current efforts; and to make recommendations to the state on best practices for combating abuse while ensuring that access is not restricted for those individuals who are in need of prescription medications.

MODEL RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Prescription drug abuse and misuse is an increasing public health concern in the United States; and

WHEREAS, A balanced approach to preventing prescription drug abuse must ensure sufficient access to medications for patients with a legitimate medical need; and

WHEREAS, Prescription drugs account for the second most commonly abused category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs; and

WHEREAS, The misuse and abuse of prescription drugs has become increasingly prevalent among teens and young adults. For example, among 12-17 year olds, prescription drug abuse took either first or second place in abuse prevalence; and

WHEREAS, While opioids, stimulants, and central nervous system depressants are properly used by millions of people, the misuse and abuse of these products are imposing increasing costs on individuals, families, and society; and

WHEREAS, The personal and financial toll of prescription drug abuse and misuse are negatively impacting the states through law enforcement constraints, drug treatment costs, and incarceration costs; and

WHEREAS, Efforts to reduce prescription drug abuse should not negatively impact a patient’s access to necessary and prescribed drug treatments.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Officials in {insert state} are encouraged to partner with prescribers, pharmacists, school-based organizations, and manufacturers of branded and generic prescription medications to evaluate existing efforts at deterring prescription drug abuse; determine the effectiveness of current efforts; and make recommendations to the state on best practices for combating abuse while ensuring that access is not restricted for those individuals who are in need of prescription medications.