Tackling Arkansas opiod addiction

Tackling Arkansas opiod addiction

In 2014, 157 Arkansans died from an overdose of prescription opioid pain medication. That is a 10 percent increase from 15 years ago.

From 2001 to 2014 there was a 42 percent increase in the total number of deaths nationwide.

And for every one death, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there are another 32 admissions to the emergency room and 130 people who are abusing opioids. As many as 1 in 4 people who receive prescription opioids long term for noncancer pain in primary care settings struggles with addiction.

Opioid pain medications include Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Fentanyl, Hydromorphone, and Oxymorphone.

This week members of the Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee were updated on this growing epidemic and how it is impacting our state.

The costs to our state including lives, disability, healthcare, and criminal justice are enormous.

Arkansas is about mid-range compared to other states when it comes to the magnitude of the problem.

And while we are seeing certain types of opioids prescribed more in certain areas of the state, abuse of some kind can be seen statewide.

The problem is solvable. Recently, the CDC announced new guidelines for doctors treating patients with chronic pain. The Affordable Care Act has also increased access to substance abuse treatment.

The recommendations to the Public Health Committee from the Department of Health include more treatment programs and more flexibility for doctors with the use of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.

In the 2015 Regular Session we passed two significant pieces of legislation to help saves lives from abuse.

We amended the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Act by requiring licensing boards to report information of criminal acts to the DEA. We also passed Act 1114 which gives immunity for any individual seeking medical assistance for another person experiencing overdose. This immunity states the person who seeks medical assistance in good faith will not be charged if they are in possession of a controlled substance.

There is still more work to be done. Over the next several months we will be reviewing the information we were given and explore what additional pieces of legislation could be introduced in the next Regular Session to help lower prescription drug abuse in Arkansas.

Meanwhile, if you need more information on treatment facilities near you call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Hotline at 1800-662-HELP (4357).

From State Representative Deborah Ferguson