Prescription Drug Abuse

Delaware Governor: Jack Markell

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Written on: March 30th, 2010 in Helping Our Neighbors

Last week, I announced a proposal for a new electronic prescription monitoring program (PMP), together with Senators Brian Bushweller, Bethany Hall-Long, and Michael Katz and Representatives Larry Mitchell and Melanie George. I would also like to thank David Parcher, Director of Kent-Sussex Counseling Services, and Dr. Rafael Zaragoza from the Medical Society of Delaware for their participation.

The abuse of prescription medication is on the rise from an already alarming level. When misused, prescription drugs can be just as harmful—and as potentially lethal—as illegal substances. To learn more about our proposal, please click here.

While developing this bill, the input that we received from doctors and drug abuse treatment professionals made it clear that prescription monitoring will be an invaluable, lifesaving tool.

However, prescription drug abuse—like other forms of drug addiction—will not be solved easily. I urge you to learn more about the problem and help lead our youth towards a healthy lifestyle.

For more information on prescription drug abuse:

Office of National Drug Control Policy: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/prescr_drg_abuse.html
National Institutes of Health: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prescriptiondrugabuse.html

If you or someone you care about needs help with addiction:

Call the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health’s 24-hr hotline: 1-800-345-6785
Brandywine Counseling (Wilmington): http://www.brandywinecounseling.org/index.html
Connections (multiple locations): http://www.connectionscsp.org/
Kent-Sussex Counseling Services (Dover, Georgetown, Laurel): http://www.kscs.org/
Psychotherapeutic Services (Dover): http://www.psychotherapeuticservices.com/index.htm
Salvation Army (Wilmington): http://www.use.salvationarmy.org/
Thresholds (Georgetown): http://www.thresholdsinc.com/