Combatting the opioid crisis in Iowa

Ragan Report: The country has seen a spike in deaths from drug overdoses in recent years.
In 2015, Iowa had 59 opi-oid overdose deaths and 163 opioid-related deaths; in 2016, that number rose to 86 over-dose deaths and 180 opioid-related deaths; and in 2017, we saw 99 overdose deaths and 202 opioid-related deaths.
The abuse and misuse of opioids costs our state $748 per Iowan per year for health care, substance abuse treat-ment, criminal justice, lost productivity and fatalities.
The Legislature can help tackle the crisis by passing safeguards for prescribing opi-oids. Senate President Charles Schneider said on a recent episode of Iowa Public Televi-sion’s “Iowa Press” that a bill, which won unanimous approv-al in the Iowa House, will be taken up in the Senate before we adjourn for the year.
Under the HF 2377:
• Prescribers must register for Iowa’s Prescription Moni-toring Program (PMP).
• Opioid prescriptions must be entered into the PMP with-in one business day.
• All opioids must be pre-scribed electronically by 2020.
• Annual reports will detail prescribers’ history of prescrib-ing controlled substances.
• Those who prescribe too much of a controlled substance may face penalties.
• Additional drugs are add-ed to Iowa’s schedules of con-trolled substances.
• Those seeking help for themselves or others will be protected from prosecution.
• A surcharge on registra-tion fees may be used to pay for the program.
Because 77 percent of opi-oid overdose deaths happen outside of a medical setting and more than half occur at home, the Surgeon General encour-ages family and friends of those at risk for an overdose to keep an antidote on hand.
In a recent update, the De-partment of Public Health re-ported that Iowa has 21 resi-dential treatment providers with a total of 669 beds; in 2017, treatment providers helped more than 45,000 people; and another 30,000 Iowans re-ceived early intervention ser-vices. To find nearby treat-ment, go to YourLifeIowa.org or call 855-581-8111.
Sen. Amanda Ragan (D-Mason City) serves Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties in Senate District 27. She can be reached at 515-281-3371 or 641-424-0874. Email her at aman-da.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.