Pubdate: Fri, 12 Dec 2003
Source: Roanoke Times (VA)
Copyright: 2003 Roanoke Times
Contact:  http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/368

A HIGH-TECH TOOL TO FIGHT ADDICTION

Coverage Of A Limited Prescription Monitoring Program Should Be Expanded 
Statewide

Authorities in Western Virginia now have a high-tech trail by which to 
track drug abusers who get multiple painkiller prescriptions by visiting 
numerous doctors.

The regional prescription monitoring database, which should be statewide, 
is a necessary tool in fighting the scourge of drug addiction and the 
accompanying deaths and crime associated with it.

Since its implementation in September, the database includes more than 
114,000 prescriptions filled at more than 300 pharmacies from Appomattox 
County to far Southwest Virginia.

The database flags "doctor shoppers" - addicts who pretend to be ill and go 
to several doctors for drugs such as OxyContin and methadone. Such 
medications are used legitimately as painkillers but also can be abused, 
with disastrous effects.

The high-tech tool monitors only prescriptions for Schedule II drugs, those 
with the highest potential for abuse.

By tracking the prescriptions, authorities will be able to identify addicts 
and curb the practice of doctor shopping.

Unfortunately, the General Assembly, which passed the bill last year, 
exercised caution and created the monitoring program initially as only a 
two-year pilot program in the state's Health Planning Region III, which 
includes far Southwest.

In limiting the domain of the database, authorities risk the flight of 
Virginia drug addicts to doctors in neighboring communities that are not 
included in the database.

The General Assembly in 2004 should overcome its timidity and expand the 
program statewide. The Department of Health Professions, which has 
oversight of the database, should prepare to expand the computer network.

Although the pilot program has received just one inquiry so far, officials 
anticipate it will become more valuable to the region's doctors and law 
enforcement authorities. The benefits of such an essential instrument in 
fighting drug addiction should not be limited to one area of the state.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens