Why is it important?
It is much easier and less costly to address substance abuse issues before they begin than to provide treatment and care for those battling addiction. The costs of substance abuse reach well beyond the individual addict; everyone in a community ultimately pays a price dealing with drug issues. Many times abuse stems from a lack of information. In fact, problems related to prescription medications are among the most common. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse “it has been reported that more than 50 percent of all emergency room visits for drug-related problems are connected to prescription drug misuse or accidental overdose. It has also been estimated that in some communities, more than 60 percent of medical examiner cases are related to prescription drugs.” With today’s technological advances, it is becoming easier to obtain drugs. Laws regulating these “Internet pharmacies” need to be strengthened.
Who should be involved?
All physicians, nurses, pharmacists, hospitals, medical clinics, home health organizations and other health-care professionals have a vested interest in reducing substance abuse. Look to medical associations for support and training. For long-lasting changes it is necessary to involve state and local lawmakers on this committee.
What are the goals?
Goals of the Medical Advisory Committee include:
To have 100 percent participation in the Kentucky All-Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting (KASPER) system.
Maintain a data-base of the most common drugs of abuse in the local community.
Reduce the number of instances of doctor-shopping and pharmaceutical diversion of prescription medications.
Activities to accomplish your goals
Medical Advisory Committee members can:
Encourage your medical providers to participate in the Kentucky All-Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting (KASPER) system.
Distribute age-appropriate informational materials about drugs and their effects to students.
Encourage drug testing and distribute drug-testing kits.
Keep detailed information and statistics about drug use in your community and provide this information to the public.
Address parent groups about the need to set clear expectations and consequences.
Educate clients on prescription drugs of abuse and have easily accessible brochures available in medical office waiting rooms.
