C. Oregonians gather for prescription drug abuse summit
More than 100 people gathered Wednesday at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds for a regional summit aimed at finding ways to tackle the growing problem of prescription drug abuse.
The summit, planned by the Central Oregon Health Council and Lines for Life, a non-profit crisis hotline, also was sponsored by Deschutes County, PacificSource Community Solutions, St. Charles Health Systems, the Well-Being and Education Board of Central Oregon and Lines for Life’s Oregon Coalition for the Responsible Use of Medications (OrCRM).
The summit on the region’s fastest-growing drug abuse problem included representatives from the medical community, administrators, law enforcement, public health and pharmacies.
State Rep. Knute Buehler, R-Bend, was invited to kick off the event, and during his opening remarks challenged the group to come up with workable solutions he can take to Salem and turn into legislation.
“As a physician, and specifically an orthopedic surgeon who has seen the ravages of opioid drug abuse first-hand, this is a particularly moving and important issue for me,” Buehler said.
“I would like to issue a challenge to the coalition: if you can develop a feasible plan to reduce the number of pills in circulation, I would gladly submit, carry and advocate for the concept in the Legislature,” he added.
Kim Johnson, chair of the state’s Pain Standards Task Force, spoke at the summit, and said Oregon is No. 2 in the nation in prescription drug abuse, and until recently was No. 1.
Swanson said they are working to create treatment options that are effective alternatives to pills.
“Within our area, we’re really doing our best to work with our medical community and endorsing safe prescribing practices,” she said. “So the Pain Task Force has outlined some safe prescribing practices that we are asking the medical community to endorse, to be a part of.”
OrCRM is a statewide task force established by the governor to reduce prescription drug abuse. The purpose of the summit is to put together a Central Oregon & Gorge Action Plan to reduce abuse, misuse, and overdose of prescription drugs.
Although many states have started investigating potential solutions, prescription drug abuse remains a significant issue.
“This is a critical problem that needs solving,” Buehler said. “Opioid addictions tear apart families, put children in danger and devastate communities. Clearly things are out of balance – there are too many pills on the streets and too many people suffering from addictions to opioids.”
