Pubdate: Tue, 04 Mar 2008
Source: Watertown Daily Times (NY)
Copyright: 2008 Watertown Daily Times
Contact:  http://www.wdt.net
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/792
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/oxycontin.htm (Oxycontin/Oxycodone)

CLOSE LOOPHOLES ON ILLEGAL ACCESS TO MEDICINES

Federal statistics cite a 24 percent decline in Illegal drug use by 
American youth since 2001. Overall marijuana use among teens is down 
by 25 percent with more notable decreases in the use of ecstasy (down 
by half) and meth, which has dropped by 64 percent.

The decline in illegal drug use represents 860,000 fewer young people 
using drugs today. But the favorable data is offset by an alarming 
growth in the misuse of prescription drugs. John Walters, director of 
the Office of National Drug Control Policy, says that 2 million teens 
abuse prescription drugs, with an estimated 2,500 youngsters turning 
to them every day. Such drugs are the major source of abuse for 12- 
and 13-year-olds.

While many obtain them from home drug cabinets, they are also readily 
available on the Internet through "rogue" pharmacies that make it 
easy for minors to obtain controlled substances. In a news 
conference, Mr. Walters cited the excessive distribution of the drug 
hydrocone from "34 known or suspected rogue Internet pharmacies."

Television advertising has heightened awareness about the 
availability of the drugs in homes, particularly from unused 
prescriptions. Over the weekend, President Bush drew attention to the 
illegal online sales of drugs in calling for Congress to enact 
legislation to restrict access and tighten controls on filling prescriptions.

Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California and Jeff Sessions of Alabama 
have introduced such legislation, which has cleared the Judiciary 
Committee. One requirement would be to require valid prescriptions 
that have been issued while under a doctor's care. Doctors would be 
required to conduct an in-person examination of a patient before 
issuing a prescription.

There would also be additional online identification requirements for 
pharmacies and increased penalties with provisions for criminal 
prosecution in federal courts.

However, the online pharmacies can also be a legitimate source of 
drugs in a competitive world with consumers, especially the 
uninsured, in search of the lowest cost.

"The Internet has brought about tremendous benefits for those who 
cannot easily get to a pharmacy in person," President Bush said. 
"However, it has also created an opportunity for unscrupulous doctors 
and pharmacists to profit from addiction."

The challenge will be to deter the latter without interfering with 
legal and legitimate drug purchases.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom