Connecticut House Bill HB05994

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/17
• Refer: 1/19/17

Caption

An Act Concerning Prescription Drug Abuse.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would modify existing statutes to incorporate a legal framework that could prevent misuse of prescription drugs. It is intended to create a legal obligation for prescription recipients to safeguard their medications, thereby reducing opportunities for unintended access by individuals who may misuse such drugs. Stakeholders believe that enhancing accountability in this manner could positively influence public health outcomes related to prescription drug use.

Summary

House Bill 05994, introduced by Representative Carpino, aims to address the growing concern of prescription drug abuse. The bill proposes amendments to Title 21a of the general statutes to hold individuals accountable if they knowingly allow others access to their prescription medications. This legislative effort is a response to the rising opioid crisis and aims to promote responsible usage of prescription drugs among patients.

Contention

While supporters claim that the bill is a necessary step toward combatting prescription drug abuse, there are potential concerns about how such accountability measures could be enforced. Critics may argue that placing this burden on patients could stigmatize individuals who are already grappling with addiction issues. Additionally, there exists a question about the practicality of monitoring compliance and whether this approach will adequately address the root causes of prescription drug misuse rather than merely penalizing individuals.