Pallone Applauds President’s Announcement on Efforts to Combat Opioid Epidemic
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, applauded today’s announcement by President Obama in West Virginia that the federal government and private sector will take significant steps to combat the prescription drug abuse epidemic. The President issued a memorandum mandating all federal doctors get training on how to correctly prescribe opioids, and requiring federal agencies that oversee health benefits to review their health plans to increase access to treatment. Furthermore, among other measures, the President announced that more than 40 health care groups will complete opioid prescriber training, and that media companies will contribute millions of dollars worth of free media space for PSAs about the risks of drug abuse.
“Our fight against the opioid epidemic got an important boost today,” said Congressman Pallone. “By increasing and improving prescriber training and eliminating barriers to treatment access for those who need help, President Obama’s effort is a significant and necessary step forward. I am also glad that so many health care groups and media companies have committed to join the fight. This epidemic has had devastating impacts across the country, including in our New Jersey communities. Today’s announcement must strengthen our resolve in Congress to do our part and pass meaningful legislation to combat the epidemic.”
Pallone is the coauthor of the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting (NASPER) Act, has long-led Democratic efforts for its reauthorization, and as the top Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Committee, helped usher it to House passage last month. With prescription drug abuse on the rise, the legislation provides grant funding to states for prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs). PDMPs aid in combatting the growing prescription drug abuse epidemic by helping prescribers, pharmacists, and law enforcement officials track the misuse of prescription drugs.
The effects of opioid abuse are being felt throughout the country, and while New Jersey has the 11th lowest rate of prescription drug abuse, it is no exception. According to the most recent statistics, 3.9 percent of the state’s population over the age of 12 uses prescription drugs for nonmedical purposes. Furthermore, the number of drug overdose deaths in New Jersey – a majority of which are from prescription drugs – increased by 51 percent since 1999.