Tag: prescription drug abuse

Bill Protects Doctors Who Refuse to Prescribe Opioids

State Senators have approved a bill that would protect doctors who refuse to prescribe painkillers when they think a patient might be addicted to the medication. 

Senate Bill 627 protects physicians from disciplinary or legal action taken against them if they refuse to prescribe painkillers to a patient they believe is either abusing or illegally selling the drugs.

The bill says doctors cannot be sanctioned for refusing to prescribe, nor be subject to criminal punishment.

“We want to make absolutely clear that when medicine is not given for therapeutic reasons, it should not be given and physicians will be protected from those suits or claims,” Senate Judiciary Chair Charles Trump said Saturday.

The bill was approved unanimously and now heads the House of Delegates. 

Addiction Stories and Two-Doors Biscuits – Obama in WV

        

What impact will President Obama’s new strategy have on the epidemic of prescription painkiller abuse and heroin use in West Virginia and Appalachia?

Obama announced his plan in Charleston Wednesday. It includes $133 million in funding for treatment and more training for health professionals in prescribing painkillers.

On The Front Porch podcast, we debate how to increase access to treatment – and what to do to prevent addiction in the first place (Hint: less academic testing, more social/emotional training.)

People on both sides of the political spectrum are starting to agree on the causes of the epidemic, but why is there so little action? (Hint: It may have to do with political paralysis in Congress and a lack of money.)

Also, should President Obama have spoken more about the dire economic situation critics say his environmental policies helped create?

Credit James Owston
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And finally, how the President didn’t make himself any more popular, despite his name-checking of Tudor’s Biscuit World:

“One of these days, I’m going to try a TWO-DOORS biscuit,” Obama said. (That’s pronounced TOO-ders, Mr. President.)

Subscribe to “The Front Porch” podcast on iTunes or however you listen to podcasts.

An edited version of “The Front Porch” airs Fridays at 4:50 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s radio network, and the full version is available above.

Share your opinions with us about these issues, and let us know what you’d like us to discuss in the future. Send a tweet to @radiofinn or @wvpublicnews, or e-mail Scott at sfinn @ wvpublic.org

Saturday is National Drug Take-Back Day

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) ninth National Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drug Take-Back Day is…

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) ninth National Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drug Take-Back Day is an opportunity for the public to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft by disposing of expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Participants must simply deliver the prescription medications to one of the more than 130 certified drop-off locations around the state, where local law enforcement officials will then anonymously collect the medications with no questions asked. 

Click here to find a Take-Back location near you:

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html

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