Pubdate: Mon, 13 Jul 2015
Source: Buffalo News (NY)
Copyright: 2015 The Buffalo News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/GXIzebQL
Website: http://www.buffalonews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/61

CONGRESS HAS AN OBLIGATION TO IMPROVE TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR OPIATE ADDICTIONS

Addiction to prescription painkillers and the heroin addiction that 
often flows from it is a scourge increasingly affecting pregnant 
women and newborns.

As News staff reporter Lou Michel recently chronicled, growing 
numbers of pregnant women are seeking treatment for their addictions 
to opiates and other drugs. That number has more than quadrupled in 
recent years at Horizon Health Services, one of the region's biggest 
providers of drug treatment and mental health services.

Horizon officials say that 29 expectant mothers sought treatment 
three years ago. Just last year, that number increased to 126 and 
officials say it could increase to 132 pregnant mothers by the end of 
this year. The state Department of Health estimates that in Erie 
County alone as many as 554 babies were born with addictions between 
2010 and 2012.

This is a problem affecting families nationwide. For years The News 
has published stories about the devastating effects of opiate 
addiction on both users and their families. Some of those stories 
have been told by grieving family members after their loved ones died 
of an overdose or suicide.

The House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is delving 
into the matter. That is a worthwhile effort, and members might want 
to start by cutting through the bureaucracy that prevents people from 
getting help.

Local drug treatment specialists have cited the long waiting list for 
addicts who want to see physicians federally certified to prescribe 
buprenorphine, also known as Suboxone, as a form of treatment. The 
drug helps those addicted to kick the habit of prescription 
painkillers and heroin. The challenge becomes finding enough 
certified doctors and other health care specialists. That is where 
companion bills introduced by Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, and Sen. 
Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., could be significant.

The legislation, supported by Erie County Health Commissioner Gale R. 
Burstein and other officials, would allow certified doctors to see 
more addicts looking for buprenorphine and allow nurse practitioners 
and physician assistants to write buprenorphine prescriptions for 
addiction treatment.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who introduced the bill in the Senate with 
Markey, demonstrated a clear understanding of the need to create more 
treatment opportunities, saying, "Treatment for prescription drug and 
heroin addiction should not be harder to access than the actual drugs 
destroying lives and communities."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom