ENROLLED
Page 1 of 2
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 114
BY REPRESENTATIVE ANDERS
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request officials in Louisiana to partner with prescribers, pharmacists, school-
based organizations, and the manufacturers of branded and generic prescription
medications to evaluate existing efforts at deterring prescription drug abuse,
determine the effectiveness of current efforts, and make recommendations to the
state on best practices for combating abuse while ensuring that access is not
restricted for those individuals who are in need of prescription medications.
WHEREAS, prescription drug abuse and misuse is an increasing public health
concern in the United States; and
WHEREAS, a balanced approach to preventing prescription drug abuse must ensure
sufficient access to medications for patients with a legitimate medical need; and
WHEREAS, prescription drugs comprise the second-most commonly abused
category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and
other drugs; and
WHEREAS, the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs has become increasingly
prevalent among teens and young adults, with evidence that prescription drug abuse is either
first or second place in abuse prevalence among twelve- to seventeen-year-olds; and
WHEREAS, while opioids, stimulants, and central nervous system depressants are
properly used by millions of people, the misuse and abuse of these products are imposing
increasing costs on individuals, families, and society; and
WHEREAS, the personal and financial toll of prescription drug abuse and misuse is
negatively impacting the states through law enforcement constraints, drug treatment costs,
and incarceration costs; and
WHEREAS, efforts to reduce prescription drug abuse should not negatively impact
a patient's access to necessary and prescribed drug treatments. ENROLLEDHR NO. 114
Page 2 of 2
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request officials in Louisiana to partner with
prescribers, pharmacists, school-based organizations, and the manufacturers of branded and
generic prescription medications to evaluate existing efforts at deterring prescription drug
abuse, determine the effectiveness of current efforts, and make recommendations to the state
on best practices for combating abuse while ensuring that access is not restricted for those
individuals who are in need of prescription medications.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
governor of Louisiana, the Louisiana attorney general, the secretary of the Department of
Health and Hospitals, the superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, the state
superintendent of education, the executive director of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, the
executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, the executive director of
the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, and the president of the Louisiana District Judges
Association.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES