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Drug Deaths: Same mistakes are still being made

Somehow, the sense of urgency and vigilance that should by now have made its way into the medical community when it comes to the substance abuse epidemic still has not arrived for some who have the ability to dole out opioid pain medication. Instead, the mistakes that some believe may have contributed to the beginning of this epidemic are still being made.

First, let us look at where we are: As Senators unveil their version of an Obamacare repeal-and-replace bill, those representing both West Virginia and Ohio have at the front of their minds how the changes would affect those fighting against substance abuse.

“I continue to have real concerns about the Medicaid policies in this bill,” said Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio. “Especially those that impact drug treatment at a time when Ohio is facing an opioid epidemic.”

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., expressed similar concerns.

A city councilman in Middletown, Ohio, is so frustrated by the costs of the plague to his town that he wondered aloud in a public meeting whether it was possible for city emergency crews to stop responding to drug overdose calls.

Ohio — the state — sued five major drug manufacturers in May, accusing them of misrepresenting the risks of opioid painkillers.

Montgomery County, Ohio, expects to see 800 drug-overdose deaths in 2017, as it is now marked as the drug overdose capital of the nation.

And yet, twice within recent weeks, folks in this newsroom have had conversations with a patient and a caregiver who were handed more prescription opioid pain medication than they needed — or wanted — by medical professionals. One of those people was shocked at being offered that kind of medication for a relatively minor pain, and refused to take it. The other, who did not realize what she had until she opened a large delivery of several medications for a patient, is now a bit overwhelmed, wondering “What in the world am I supposed to do with all of this?”

Surely the hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities from which these medications are being prescribed have received by now the “best practices” guidance that advises against such carelessness.

Why is it still happening?

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