Prescription drug abuse in Maine is a serious problem that requires everyone’s help now.
The pharmacy robbery in Augusta on Nov. 28 marked the 52nd pharmacy robbery of 2012. It is a startling and troubling statistic that is more than double the pharmacy robberies in 2011. It puts an exclamation point on Maine’s prescription drug abuse epidemic.
But the truth is that this is much more than a statistic. It demonstrates that this is a problem that isn’t just impacting the person addicted to prescription drugs; it is increasingly compromising the personal safety and security of pharmacists across the state, along with their customers and neighbors.
For the safety of pharmacists everywhere, it is imperative that we double our efforts now to combat this dangerous public health issue.
The good news is that there are significant efforts in place across the state to address prescription drug abuse. Community substance abuse prevention coalitions, such as Healthy Androscoggin, are collaborating with community partners to implement a variety of strategies to raise awareness, build skills and reduce access and availability.
An example locally is the medicine take-back program which has events scheduled every spring and fall to allow residents to empty their homes of expired and unwanted medicines. It is a popular, and growing, program that is utilized by over a thousand area households every year.
Efforts are underway to enhance the success of this program by installing prescription drug drop-off boxes in Androscoggin County. That will allow residents to dispose of unwanted medicines year round. The first box in the county has already been installed in Lisbon for Lisbon residents.
Another important new initiative being undertaken by Healthy Androscoggin is to work to increase enrollment and active utilization of Maine’s Prescription Monitoring Program.
This is a program that provides prescribers with information on their patient’s prescriptions to help them spot potential doctor shopping, addiction and drug diversion issues. It is a very effective tool in the effort to prevent and reduce addiction, when it is being used.
While the state has made great progress in increasing enrollment in the PMP, it is still not where it needs to be for maximum effectiveness. Thanks to funding from the state, Healthy Androscoggin can now offer free educational and enrollment sessions for practices in Androscoggin County that aren’t signed up for the PMP.
Call us today if you aren’t enrolled and we will set up a time to get you trained.
A significant effort that has been happening on the state level is the work of the attorney general’s Prescription Drug Task Force. It is a task force created by executive order in February 2012. It has been led since then by Attorney General William J. Schneider.
The task force consists of 17 experienced professionals from across the state from various fields and sectors. It consists of four sub-committees, each charged with developing a plan to address a certain aspect of the prescription drug abuse problem.
Those strategies are: developing long term controlled substance disposal solutions; creating an evidence-based educational campaign; increasing effective utilization of the Prescription Monitoring Program; and implementing a diversion alert program.
Significant progress has been made to date and the task force has provided needed leadership, leadership that we hope to continue to see as the new attorney general comes into office.
The role of coalitions and state government in this effort is critical; however, the role of the individual citizen is just as important.
Each of us can have a great impact on preventing and reducing prescription drug abuse by taking one very simple step at home. That is to keep all medicines in one safe and secure location in the home.
The reality is that many who end up abusing prescription drugs will start with medicines easily obtainable from a friend or family member, often by taking them without permission. If we can all do a better job of keeping our medicines secure, we can take a huge step in preventing this public health issue.
To find out other ways members of the public can help, visit Healthy Androscoggin’s website at: www.healthyandroscoggin.org.
We all need to be working together to fight this battle and to make sure Maine is a safe and healthy place for everyone to work and live.
Scott M. Gagnon, MPP, is the substance abuse prevention manager for Healthy Androscoggin and facilitator of Androscoggin County’s substance abuse prevention task force, Project Unite!
Scott Gagnon
Report a correction
Initiatives taken to combat prescription drug abuse . . .
Scott 12.18.12 8 pm hst ≠
Great column and we thank you all for all your extensive efforts
Addictive personality behavior disorders are rampant in most societies ; gambling , caffeine , nicotene , alcohol , ice , crystal meth , pils , pot , cocaine , uppers , downers , designer drugs -- all a scourge to society
Aren't drugs free in Canada ? How do they cope up there ?
Just a thought . .../s Steve , Hawai'i http://www.pnhp.org/ows/index.php
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Legalize pot and distribute prescription drugs free like Europe
Its not just the banks stealing our money in every transaction that gets me, its the stigmatization possessing and using pot, pills or any depressant or stimulant you want to name.
Throw the puritans and delusional religious in institutions until they have a dose of reality, while healthy citizens pass laws that revoke criminalization of weed and gouging of patients who legitimately require medication.
All the more need for the Affordable Care Act (so-called Obamacare) and the reducing of the age of eligibility for Medicare and free medicines for all Americans.
This may be the only sane solution to the rash of so-called burglaries you write about. No one is going to break into a pharmacy to get what would, otherwise, be free pills "over the counter" at Wal-Mart.
The pharmacies and their drug-pushing doctors are all in cahoots. It is no different than the bankster so-called "federal reserve" and the local bank on the corner (eh, Katahdin Trust Company, Bangor and Androscoggin Savings?)... They're all in on the "fix" ...they're all cashing in on something they created ...they lobbied for ....and they want to perpetuate ...unnecessarily.
...and the insurance companies, national and local, are also on the chopping block...especially after AIG was exposed for the fraud of 2008 when Wall Street gambling debts were, twice, covered by the American Treasury.
Pharmacies, doctors, banks and insurance companies are all con games, which have been bilking the unaware ...while their own rich budsos pay nothing ....nothing for borrowed money between the Fed and the biggest banks ...nothing for the doctors who push the drugs (i.e. oxy, methadone, hydros, etc...) and a huge cut for the enabler pharmacists on the corner.
The answer? Legalize recreational use of weed, free "over the counter" prescription drugs and hold the doctors accountable for over prescribing to date in order to eliminate pharmacy middlemen, addictions and future related crime.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.It's about money
I generally agree, Henry, except that it isn't "puritans and the delusionally religious" who are invested in the war on drugs; it's government agencies and a variety of gullible citizens. Check out the publications of LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition) for evidence that the attempt to suppress drugs causes more problems than it solves.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1) Disagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Legalize drugs
If people could simply buy the drugs they feel they need, they wouldn't need to rob pharmacies.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2) Disagree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Just a couple of thoughts....
This is yet another letter or article that points out just one side of this huge problem of prescription drug abuse. I, probably more than some, are very aware of this problem, but again I need to address the other side of the coin. If things seem to be getting better for me, it is only because I had to go out of my way to address a problem that affects many, We already have much to deal with, we don't need to jump through hoops, just to get the medical care we need.
These types of articles seem to ramp up the pressure on physicians to err on the side of caution, as apposed to treating openly. Many doctors seem to feel that putting everyone into the same boat, then only using one treatment for all, is safe, and will keep them out of trouble. The pressure is so great, that some doctors won't even prescribe certain types of medications out of fear of upsetting the stattus quo.
Recently I had to fire my new primary care physician. His total lack of knowledge of medications, and his fear of even discussing treatment options, kind of threw me for a loop. About the last thing I needed at that particular time, was a lecture form an ignorant person. That may sound a little severe, but This person is obviously consumed by the fear of mis prescribing something. The same doctor who's lack of knowledge of half life's, and drug interactions, left me severely ill for over a month. This same doctor sat down in front of me and literally accused me of wanting opiates for pleasure, and would want to keep increasing the doses and eventually get him in trouble. He actually said this to me. Let me add a little background.
I have an incurable disease, I've suffered from chronic pain for seven years. I've been on numerous types of pain treatment. I've participated in three pain clinics both in Maine and Boston. I have taken the time to educate myself on the many forms of pain control methods.
With all this going on, I still had to sit there and be lambasted by a scared doctor. This doctor is the result of the war on "Prescription Drugs". A feel good action by some, to fight those who abuse prescription medications. At the expense of those who are abused because of the prescription medications they need.
My wish is that, medical professionals who write these articles, or anyone for that matter, take the time and acknowledge that there are people out there who need these treatments. If a patient asks about pain treatment, take the time and ask questions, don't jump to conclusions. You learn a lot more listening than you do talking. Just consider there is another side to this problem.......
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2) Disagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I think you're right...
Provide free medical care and free medicine to all Americans ...now.
No robberies. No begging.
It works in Europe. It's time we grew up, too, and got rid of the middlemen (i.e. doctors, pharmacies and the prosecutors and police who protect their medical ponzi scheme).
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1) Disagree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.