This editorial first appeared in the Ketchikan Daily News:
Gov. Bill Walker’s opioid legislation is a good start that should pick up speed.
The legislation includes pain management training for medical providers and limiting quantities in initial prescriptions.
Lawmakers eventually might consider a buy-back system in which patients return unused portions of prescriptions that often are left in such places as medicine cabinets and forgotten.
The state also might work with communities to ensure facilities and services for drug addicts to receive treatment. The facilities could be expanded to provide services to alcoholics, particularly in small towns and cities.
Opioids are drugs such as heroin and prescription painkillers.
The governor noted last month that Alaska has reached disaster status in regard to opioid abuse.
Walker’s bill includes:
— Limiting initial opioid prescriptions to seven days. This essentially begins to limit the distribution of the drugs.
— Requiring parent involvement when opioids are prescribed to a person younger than 18. Involvement would include education for both parents and youth.
— Increasing pain management training for medical providers. This would serve the best interests of all involved in each case.
— Requiring medical practitioners and pharmacists to report drug information to a prescription database. Veterinarians also would be required to participate because their prescriptions intended for pets might be consumed by opioid addicts.
This is a step in the right direction. It won’t eliminate the problem of opioids, but it will begin to address it in a meaningful way. For those who are affected by opioid abuse — users, families, communities, and law enforcement and the court system — Walker’s proposal is encouraging.
The Legislature, of course, might tweak it after hearing public comment, but at least Alaskans will be talking about the opioid problem and working toward solutions.
In the end, Alaska and its people will be healthier for it.
