CADCA Joins Reps Keating, Bono Mack and Rahall in Support of Rx Abuse Deterrent Bill

Today, Congressman Bill Keating (D-MA) and Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) introduced the first federal legislation to require manufacturers to create tamper-resistant formulations for commonly-abused prescription painkillers. The bill was announced during a press conference in Washington, D.C., which featured remarks by CADCA’s Chairman and CEO Gen. Arthur T. Dean. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV), another supporter of the bill, also participated in the press conference.

The Stop the Tampering of Prescription Pills (STOPP) Act is key to preventing new users from abusing painkillers and safeguarding against overdoses. The bill would require any brand-name painkiller – whether immediate or extended release – that is currently on the market to use a tamper-resistant formulation, including generic medications. 

“Prescription drug abuse has cost our country conservatively $70 billion a year,” said Rep. Keating during the press conference. “This bill creates a clear pathway and establishes a process…to incentivize and mandate tamper-resistant formulations. It would help prevent injury and harm among the most vulnerable populations – particularly adolescents.”

Rep. Keating demonstrated the difference between a regular pill and a tamper-resistant one by attempting to crush both pills with a hammer. The regular pill crushed easily but the tamper-resistant pill stayed intact. 

Studies have shown that drug abusers tend to crush or otherwise break down time-released products into a form that can be snorted or injected for a more intense high. The STOPP Act is the first federal legislation that directs pharmaceutical manufacturers to invest in research and production to formulate tamper resistant drugs in order to compete with drugs of a similar nature that already employ tamper resistant technologies.
 
CADCA’s Gen. Dean noted that while the bill is not a “silver bullet” solution, it does create another obstacle that will deter some people from abusing prescription painkillers and is another tool in a comprehensive approach to reduce the prescription drug abuse epidemic.

“While coalitions are working hard to address prescription drug abuse in a holistic manner, their efforts alone will not solve the problem. It’s through a combination of efforts at the national, state and local levels that we can start to make a dent in this epidemic so I applaud Congressman Keating and Congresswoman Bono Mack for important bill,” Gen. Dean said. 

Rep. Bono Mack, who is a leading advocate in the area of substance abuse prevention and chairs the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse, said the legislation should be part of a comprehensive national strategy. “Prescription drug abuse is not just a public health epidemic – it’s a national tragedy,” she said.  “But through the increased use of tamper-resistant medicines, we may see hopelessness replaced by hope.  What’s needed now is a comprehensive national strategy for combating prescription drug abuse, especially when it comes to narcotic painkillers.  The STOPP Act should be part of that strategy.  More than 20,000 Americans a year are dying from prescription drug abuse – over 15,000 from painkillers alone.” Click here to view pictures.

For tools to help you address prescription drug abuse in your community, access CADCA's Rx Abuse Prevention Toolkit: From Awareness to Action, available at www.PreventRxAbuse.org

Summer‘s a Risky Time for Youth Drinking and Drug Abuse, Report Finds

More teens start drinking and smoking cigarettes and marijuana in June and July than in any other months, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said in a new report. 

The report states that on an average day in June and July, more than 11,000 teens ages 12 to 17 use alcohol for the first time – December is the only other month with comparable levels. Throughout the rest of the year, the daily average for first-time alcohol use ranges from 5,000 to 8,000 adolescents. 

Similarly in June and July, an average of 5,000 youth smoke cigarettes for the first time, as opposed to the daily average of about 3,000 to 4,000 during the rest of the year. The same pattern holds true for first time use of cigars and smokeless tobacco among youth. In terms of first-time use of marijuana, more than 4,500 youth start using it on an average day in June and July, as opposed to about 3,000 to 4,000 youth during the other months. 

“More free time and less adult supervision can make the summertime an exciting time for many young people, but it can also increase the likelihood of exposure to the dangers of substance abuse,” SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde said in a news release. “That is why it is critically important to take every opportunity we can throughout the year to talk to our young people about the real risks of substance abuse and effective measures for avoiding it, so they will be informed and capable of making the right decisions on their own.” 

The report, “Monthly Variation in Substance Use Initiation among Adolescents,” is based on SAMHSA’s 2002 to 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports involving interviews with 231,500 adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17. 

At graduation and prom time, many coalitions host events to ensure teens celebrate these occasions and the summer, itself, safely, such as the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria’s “All Night Drug and Alcohol Free Graduation Party” for high school seniors. Since their high school began the tradition in 1989, there have been no drug or alcohol-related graduation night fatalities, according to Noraine Buttar, SAPCA’s coordinator.

STATEMENT BY ONDCP DIRECTOR KERLIKOWSKE ON CONGRESS’ PASSAGE OF THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINSTRATION SAFETY AND INNOVATION ACT (S. 3187)

The Office of National Drug Control Policy commends Congress for passing the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, S. 3187, which requires 26 synthetic chemicals, including those commonly found in products marketed as “K2” and “Spice,” to be considered Schedule I substances.  Schedule I substances are those with a high potential for abuse; have no medical use in treatment in the United States; and lack an accepted safety for use of the drug.

“I applaud Congress for coming together on this issue that is affecting so many of our young people. Research shows that parents are the most powerful force in the lives of young people,” said Director Kerlikowske.  “Synthetic drugs like ‘bath salts,’ Spice, and K2 are a serious threat to health and safety.  I urge families to take time today to learn what these drugs are and discuss the harms that all drugs pose to young people in America.”

As part of ongoing efforts to coordinate the Federal response to the drug threat, in February, the ONDCP joined The Partnership at Drugfree.org to introduce a kit for parents and adult influencers housing the tools they need to talk with their teens about this emerging threat and recognize the warning signs of use. The information kit includes a slidecast about synthetic drugs, a corresponding podcast and video, and a printable guide so parents can present details on what to look for, what the street names are and what the effects of these substances are to others in their community.  It is available at The Partnership at Drugfree.org website and is part of a "Parents360" community education program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

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Supreme Court Upholds Healthcare Law

In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court voted yesterday to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Prevention measures within the ACA, such as the Prevention and Public Health Fund and the National Prevention Strategy, will help create safe and drug free communities across the country. 

The ACA includes substance use disorders as one of the ten elements of essential health benefits. Health insurance sold on Health Insurance Exchanges or provided by Medicaid to certain newly eligible adults starting in 2014 must include services for substance use disorders. Within the ACA, more services will be available and become more affordable for individuals that have addiction disorders. These services include treatment for substance use disorder services, prescription drugs, rehabilitative, habilitative, and prevention and wellness services.

Prescription and Illicit Drug Abuse Increases for Baby Boomers, Senior Citizens

Data from national surveys reveal a trend for 50- to 59-year-olds: the number of those reporting past-month abuse of illicit drugs — including the non-medical use of prescription drugs — more than doubled from 2002 to 2010, going from 907,000 to 2,375,000, or from 2.7 to 5.8 percent in this population. 

Among those 65 and older, 414,000 used illicit drugs in 2010. A new topic, Prescription and Illicit Drug Abuse, available on NIHSeniorHealth.gov, describes this trend and the effects of medication and drug abuse on older adults. 

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, the numbers of older substance abusers could continue to rise, due to the aging of the baby boomers, which were more likely than previous generations to have used illicit drugs in their youth. 

Medications for a variety of conditions can help older adults maintain health and function, and most older adults take their medications as prescribed. At the same time, abuse of prescription medications — such as painkillers and depressants — and illicit drugs — such as marijuana and cocaine — can be especially harmful for older adults because aging changes how the body and brain handle these substances. 

"As people get older, it is more difficult for their bodies to absorb and break down medications and drugs," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA. "Abusing these substances can worsen age-related health conditions, cause injuries and lead to addiction." 

Although substance abuse among older adults is preventable and treatable, many older adults may not get the help they need because some common warning signs of abuse, such as sleep problems, falls, and depression, can also be signs of other health conditions.