Creation of a WI Prescription Drug Monitoring Program One Step Closer

AB227 was heard Jan 20 during the State Legislature's Health Commitee meeting to consider moving forward with a statewide PDMP (Perscription Drug Monitoring Program). The Program would create a database that would track filled perscriptions in order to reduce "Dr. Shopping" and other diversion stunts.

About 10 people testified in favor of the bill or educated the committee including 2 members from re:TH!NK. Others present included concerned police, pharmacists, parents, and forensic pathologists from across the state.

WI is one of only a few states that do not currently have or are in the process of creating a PDMP. All surrounding states have enacted such a database to provide authority in the monitoring of specific controlled medicines. The lack of such a database/program could explain the increase in diversion practices and addiction of presecription drugs.

The committee said they will schedule a vote SOON.

Additionally, on Feb 24th the Pharmacy Society of WI will be holding its annual Legislative Day in Madison. PSW is the state organization that represents all Wisconsin pharmacists in all practice environments, hospital, chain, independent etc. On Legislative Day about 100-150 pharmacists from all over the state will meet in the morning to discuss and be briefed on various current government and legislative issues important to pharmacists and our patients.

One of the items that PSW has supported since it was first proposed is establishment of a controlled drug database to help us identify the drug seekers. In the afternoon of the 24th all of these pharmacists will be meeting with their individual Legislators and Senators and will be urging them to support passage of the drug monitoring database.

For more/current information on the status of AB227 click: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/AB227hst.html

or for more information on PDMPs click: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/faq/rx_monitor.htm

-Lisa

Youth Smoking Rates Related to Tobacco-Retailer Location

A study that appears in the Nov. American Journal of Public Health found that youth experimental smoking is related to proximity of tobacco outlets near high schools in urban areas. To read the abstract of article, click the link below.

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/99/11/2006?etoc

OR check out the summary put together by CADCA: http://www.cadca.org/category/drug-type/tobacco

Article in The Northwestern about re:TH!NK

December 27, 2009
Drug-free coalition hopes to increase its appeal with name change

By Jennifer K. Woldtof The Northwestern

A community coalition aimed at changing the attitudes and behavior teens have about drugs and alcohol has changed its name.

The change is an attempt to reach out not only to the county’s youth, but also to get more people involved in changing their habits, while challenging cultural norms the group sees in Wisconsin when it comes to alcohol, drugs and tobacco.The Tobacco-Free and Drug-Free Communities Coalition of Winnebago County was renamed re:Th!nk: Your Life. Your Choice. on Dec. 17, 200 days before the state goes smoke-free on July 5.

The coalition is funded with federal and state dollars and aims to tackle the problems of drinking, drugs and tobacco among young people through a variety of programs and outreach efforts.

While the coalition targets its efforts at youth, Emily Dieringer, a coalition coordinator who focuses on tobacco issues, said many of the organization’s efforts pertain to other community members because the work attempts to change attitudes about alcohol, drugs and tobacco."We’re still going to be working on the same stuff, but with the new name and outlook, we’re hoping to be more effective with the coalition," Dieringer said. "We’re trying to change the community’s health and we need the community’s help to do that."

Dieringer said the old name was "standoffish" and gave the impression the coalition was against all alcohol and tobacco use. The coalition hopes the new name has broad appeal, and Dieringer said she hopes it makes people think about the roles alcohol and tobacco play in their lives and whether it leads to a healthy life.

"We’re trying to make people healthier and our community a better place to live," Dieringer said.

View the article online at The Northwestern's site here: http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200991226060