Congressman Richard Neal, Frank Guinta, and Congresswomen Barbara Comstock have all come together to introduce a bi-partisan piece of legislation aimed at controlling, and eventually lowering prescription drugs, and heroin overdoses. A press release from the office of Congressman Neal on April 17th 2015 stated, “The rising tide of drug addiction across America is deeply troubling. Every day, 120 people die as a result of drug overdoses fueled by prescription painkillers, and another 6,748 are treated in emergency rooms for the misuse or abuse of illegal drugs.” [i] The goal is to create comprehensive legislation while working with state officials to combat this problem.
The simplicity of “Just Say No” unfortunately does not exist anymore in today’s society. “Overdosing is now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, accounting for more deaths than traffic fatalities or gun homicides and suicides.” [ii] Drug abuse is not contained to just your inner city gangs, and low economic class people. It is spreading to suburban areas, high school and college students, along with people of means. The problem is that this issue isn’t picked up on some street corner, but rather at home with prescription drugs. The users start with doctor prescribed medications like Oxycodone, hydrocodone, and others. This issue is not only about human life, but also an economic one as well. Prescription drug companies have deep pockets, and powerful lobbyists in their corner to make sure that they do not suffer in the recent crackdown. The Opioid Overdose Reduction Act is a great step in the right direction to combat a problem that is consuming our adolescents, and only looks to increase in the future if there is not action taken.
Not only is Congressman Neal addressing an issue that is affecting our citizens nationally, it also is wreaking havoc here in the state of Massachusetts, and more specifically in the Pioneer Valley, Western Mass area. “Massachusetts State Police have accounted for 217 heroin-related deaths since January 1 – not counting those in Springfield, Worcester and Boston.” [iii]The new use of Narcan has helped us bring people back to life those that have overdosed. It is now being administered to all first responders in case they encounter a time they need to use. Unfortunately this still allows for the overdose to happen in the first place, so Neal is finding ways to prevent that in the first place. With a lacking economy out here in Western Mass the increase in drug use continues to skyrocket. Taking this stance shows his ability to work across the isle with his colleagues, and it is also a very popular one at home. No one wants to see human life loss in such a terrible manner, when the root of the cause can be easily defined, and hopefully stopped. Governor Baker has made this issue a top priority, and I hope that our elected officials on all levels can work together to find a solution moving forward.
[i] http://neal.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=410:neal-guinta-comstock-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-combat-heroin-and-prescription-drug-overdoses-in-the-united-states&catid=10&Itemid=10
[ii] http://neal.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=410:neal-guinta-comstock-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-combat-heroin-and-prescription-drug-overdoses-in-the-united-states&catid=10&Itemid=10
[iii]http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/in_our_own_backyard_opioid_cri.html
Something obviously needs to be done if the heroin-related deaths, excluding the major cities in Massachusetts, are that high. It is commendable that Congressman Neal is taking part in leading this movement and reaching across the aisle to do so. I hope in the near future we can see something positive come out of this legislation that not only prevents the deaths caused by drug overdose, but addresses the problems that start the drug use that eventually leads to overdose. It is also good to see that this is a bipartisan issue, because hopefully that means that the chances of the success of this legislature are higher.
I know even in my small and relatively well-off town in NJ, heroin use is becoming a huge problem. It is spreading quickly across the Northeast and the rest of America. Congressman Neal’s legislation is a good step forward to combat the rise of prescription drug abuse and heroin abuse. Hopefully we will see even stronger, bi-partisan legislation come out of Congress in the near future.
Drug use is a problem that is represented across all demographics. However, low income minorities are arrested and marginalized at far higher rates than middle class white citizens with the same drug exposure. I think that the issue that we should be focusing on is necessarily lowering prescription drug use but dealing with the drug problem as a whole. The current justice system does not adequately address drug abuse. It has been proven time and time again that rehabilitative methods are more effective than punishments such as fines or jail. Although congressman Neil is correct that prescription drug abuse is a problem I wish he would address the broader issue at hand.
The similarities of prescription drugs to illegal ones such as heroin is striking, and those prescribed to drugs after surgeries often find themselves resorting to heroin following an inability to kick addiction. Lowering prescription drug use could occur by banning such drugs, or making them harder to prescribe. Further, efforts of lowering overdoses should focus not on punishing addicts, but finding more efficient methods of rehabilitation, and the advertisement of drug abuse danger and awareness.
As a public health student I have been following the prescription drug problem fairly closely. I am thankful that this issue is finally gaining bi-partisan support. prescription drug overdose is a fairly large problem. Doctors are evaluated by their ability to maintain pain and thus over prescribe patients. This easy access to strong drugs creates a drug problem and thus overdoses which are clearly fairly significant in the population. It is vital that we decrease prescription drug use and overall deaths.
I think the problem of prescription drug overdoses is not necessarily a problem that can be handled by the big companies. There needs to be regulation in the prescribing practices of physicians, because with a script is the only way that people are getting their hands on these drugs. I was shocked at how little regulations there actually are, after having a personal experience with this. Some physicians prescribe multiple painkillers (and other drugs) at once, with unlimited refills. This can lead to not only the abuse of a drug by the recipient of the script, but they can now distribute their excess. I think a good piece of legislation to stop these abuses would be something that would monitor physicians more carefully. I’m not sure exactly what the legislation that Neal is standing behind is, but I am hoping it targets the problem with more than just arrests and rehabilitation
I am not one to say that prescription drug overdose is not a problem because it seems like it is. The issue I see is the drug companies in general. Drug companies want money and the deals they make with hospitals and doctors is apparent. And the doctors need to make a paycheck also. There has to be a compromise that a given patient for example is allowed x amount of refills and then they are cut off. Perhaps that could work?
This is something crazy that obviously needs to be addressed. “Massachusetts State Police have accounted for 217 heroin-related deaths since January 1 – not counting those in Springfield, Worcester and Boston.â€
Overdoses are avoidable deaths. People whose family will never get them back so I believe it is responsible and necessary of them to finally take steps to stop this rise. Statistics back up what I have noticed to be personal true, that heroin is coming back and coming back big. I never heard of anyone dieing before now and all of a sudden overdoses are literally everywhere. Our pill popping culture may be to blame, whatever the reason it’s good that steps are being taken to find a solution.
Addressing the issue of drug abuse is an important policy initiative. With heroin overdoses skyrocketing in Massachusetts, Congressman Neal has taken the right time to fix this pressing problem. With the introduction of Narcan, many victims of overdose are able to be saved. Making this drug more accessible and available, and increasing treatment options will help create less of a dependency on the drug.
Opiate abuse is an epidemic in this country that does not get enough media attention. Heroin today is more potent than ever, and this issue needs to be addressed. I applaud Congressman Neal for his efforts, but I believe he should add an education component to this bill so people can learn about the dangers of prescription drugs.
It’s nice to see some more action on prescription drug abuse, but I’m surprised that Congressman Joe Kennedy is not involved in this group. He seemed to be making important strides in the same area–I hope they are all collaborating for the best result. Pharmaceutical abuse is a problem all over America, but especially in Massachusetts. We really need a good plan to help us through this issue. Very noble move by Congressman Neal.