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Snyder Plan Combats Prescription Drug, Pain Killer Addiction

By DAVID EGGERT
Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder called Monday for more than two dozen changes aimed at targeting the worsening crisis of prescription drug and painkiller addiction, including $3 million to improve an outdated database that monitors prescriptions.

Other proposals include updated pain clinic regulations, stiffer sanctions for physicians and other health professionals who violate proper dispensing practices, and easier access to Naloxone, a medicine that counters the effects of heroin and morphine overdoses. The recommendations were made by a 21-member task force Snyder created in June after highlighting the problem in January in his State of the State address.

Over seven years, Michigan has seen a four-fold increase in the number of prescribed Schedule II pills, including opioids such as oxycodone that have high potential for abuse and are often a precursor to heroin.

"It's hard to believe that's solely related to appropriate medical care," Snyder said during a news conference at the Detroit Medical Center's Heart Hospital, where he was joined by task force members including chair Lt. Gov Brian Calley and Attorney General Bill Schuette. "The growth curve is absolutely incredible and is tragic."

Michigan's rate of heroin-related overdose deaths doubled from 2009 to 2014; overall overdose deaths have tripled since 1999.

The 25 primary recommendations would require legislative approval and include prevention, treatment and enforcement measures. They were released less than a week after President Barack Obama promised to use his bully pulpit and federal programs to combat an "epidemic" of heroin use and prescription painkiller abuse that is upending communities across the country.

Calley said is it essential that the state update or replace the antiquated Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS), which helps doctors, dentists, pharmacists and others determine if patients already are receiving controlled substances from other providers. The preliminary cost estimate is $3 million. What is now a voluntary system would become mandatory under one of the task force's proposals.

The panel also suggests additional training for prescribers, requiring a bona-fide physician-patient relationship before drugs are dispensed, immunity from prosecution for those who call 911 to report overdoses and more opportunities for people to dispose of unused prescription pills. Other recommendations include public awareness campaigns, asking insurers to cover the costs of medication-assisted treatment, including opioid treatment programs, and appointing a permanent task force or commission to track progress and propose new solutions as needed.

"We want to see whether or not what in fact we've recommended works," said task force member Conrad Mallett, chief administrative officer for the Detroit Medical Center and a former state Supreme Court justice.

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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