prescription drugs

5/21/13 - Panel

Joe Donahue — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Today's panelists are WAMC’s Alan Chartock, Dr. Jennifer Michaels of The Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and University at Albany Journalism Professor and Investigative Reporter, Rosemary Armao.

Topics include:
Mental Illness in the Family
Generation Rx
Marijuana: Panacea, Pleasure or Plague

Mass. Physician Advocates Seek Changes in Prescription Monitoring Program

Lucas Willard — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 23:48:04 +0000

Patient advocates and representatives of the medical community in Massachusetts are submitting comments to the state Board of Public Health to address regulations that aim to curb prescription drug abuse.

Signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick in 2012, An Act relative to prescription drug diversion, abuse and addiction, requires prescribers of pain killers to enroll in the state’s now-voluntary Prescription Monitoring Program upon renewal of their medical licenses. Currently about 1,700 prescribers in Massachusetts are enrolled in the program.

Bill Would Create Immunity for 911 Overdose Calls

Pat Bradley — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:30:00 +0000

Vermont lawmakers are considering a bill — backed by law enforcement — to make people immune from prosecution on drug charges when they call 911 to report a friend is overdosing and in danger of death.

Chittenden County State's Attorney T.J. Donovan, Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn and Health Commissioner Dr. Harry Chen say their hope is not to condone drug use, but to reduce the number of drug overdose deaths. There were 73 in Vermont in 2012.

County-wide Effort Seeks to Collect Unused Prescription Meds in Berkshires

Lucas Willard — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 21:34:51 +0000

Next week, Berkshire residents can safely dispose their old and unused prescription medications in a county-wide effort to reduce drug abuse and addiction. WAMC’s Berkshire Bureau Chief Lucas Willard reports…

On Saturday, September 29^th, officials and organizations throughout Berkshire County are cooperating in their sixth semi-annual drive to reduce and safely dispose unused prescription meds. Lois Daunis of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition says her organization is just one of the parties organizing and participating in the event.

Massachusetts Prescription Drug Monitoring Bill Faces Tight Deadline

Lucas Willard — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 21:58:54 +0000

The Massachusetts legislature is pushing to finalize a number of bills before the end of the formal session, including one that would strengthen the state’s prescription drug monitoring program. WAMC’s Lucas Willard reports…