SLS 12RS-4459 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 134
BY SENATOR RISER
SUBSTANCE ABUSE. Requests evaluation of existing efforts at deterring prescription
drug abuse, determination of effectiveness of current efforts, and recommendations on best
practices for combating abuse while ensuring access is not restricted for those in need of
prescription medications.
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request officials in Louisiana to partner with prescribers, pharmacists, school-2
based organizations, and the manufacturers of branded and generic prescription3
medications to evaluate existing efforts at deterring prescription drug abuse,4
determine the effectiveness of current efforts and make recommendations to the state5
on best practices for combating abuse while ensuring that access is not restricted for6
those individuals who are in need of prescription medications.7
WHEREAS, prescription drug abuse and misuse is an increasing public health8
concern in the United States; and 9
WHEREAS, a balanced approach to preventing prescription drug abuse must ensure10
sufficient access to medications for patients with a legitimate medical need; and11
WHEREAS, prescription drugs account for the second most commonly abused12
category of drugs, behind marijuana and ahead of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and13
other drugs; and14
WHEREAS, the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs has become increasingly15
prevalent among teens and young adults as among 12-17 year olds, prescription drug abuse16
took either first or second place in abuse prevalence; and17
WHEREAS, while opioids, stimulants, and central nervous system depressants are18 SR NO. 134
SLS 12RS-4459 ORIGINAL
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properly used by millions of people, the misuse and abuse of these products are imposing1
increasing costs on individuals, families, and society; and2
WHEREAS, the personal and financial toll of prescription drug abuse and misuse are3
negatively impacting the states through law enforcement constraints, drug treatment costs4
and incarceration costs; and5
WHEREAS, efforts to reduce prescription drug abuse should not negatively impact6
a patient's access to necessary and prescribed drug treatments.7
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana8
does hereby urge and request officials in Louisiana to partner with prescribers, pharmacists,9
school-based organizations, and the manufacturers of branded and generic prescription10
medications to evaluate existing efforts at deterring prescription drug abuse, determine the11
effectiveness of current efforts and make recommendations to the state on best practices for12
combating abuse while ensuring that access is not restricted for those individuals who are13
in need of prescription medications.14
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the15
governor, the attorney general, the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, the16
colonel of the office of the Louisiana State Police, the state superintendent of education, the17
president of the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, the president of the Louisiana District18
Attorneys Association, the president of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, and the president19
of the Louisiana District Judges Association.20
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Danielle Doiron.
DIGEST
Riser SR No.
Requests La. officials 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.