SR0546 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0546 LRB097 16309 KXB 63956 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Prescription drug abuse has recently been classified as an epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and

WHEREAS, The consequences of our nation's fastest growing drug problem are spreading throughout Illinois, particularly in metropolitan areas; and

WHEREAS, Between 2004 and 2008, the estimated number of emergency department visits linked to the non-medical use of prescription pain relievers doubled; and

WHEREAS, The increase in the percentage of admissions for abuse of pain relievers spans every age, gender, race, ethnicity, educational level, employment level, and region of the State; and

WHEREAS, Many individuals who misuse prescription drugs, particularly teens and some parents, believe these substances are safer than illicit drugs because they are prescribed by a healthcare professional and dispensed by a pharmacist; and

WHEREAS, According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, among persons aged 12 or older who used pain relievers non-medically in the past 12 months, 55.9% got the pain relievers they most recently used from a friend or relative for free; and

WHEREAS, Drug-induced deaths now outnumber gunshot deaths in America and are fast approaching motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of injury-related death; and

WHEREAS, The Obama Administration recognizes the need to balance prevention, education, and enforcement, with the need for legitimate access to these controlled substances; and

WHEREAS, The 2011 Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan reflects a national consultation process through which the Director of National Drug Control Policy consulted with mayors, health care professionals, law enforcement officials, and other local community leaders to identify the best approaches to use in combating prescription drug abuse; and

WHEREAS, As a result of numerous visits to communities ravaged by prescription drug abuse, President Obama's Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan reflects a multifaceted approach that brings together a variety of federal, state, local, and tribal entities; and

WHEREAS, The Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan highlights 4 elements to help reduce the abuse of prescription drugs: education, prescription drug monitoring programs, proper medication disposal, and enforcement; and

WHEREAS, The policies outlined in the Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan, when implemented, should reduce public spending while improving public health; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Illinois Senate declares June 2012 as Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month in the State of Illinois and recognizes the Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan's call to:

1) educate the public about the dangers of abusing prescription drugs;

2) implement and enhance prescription drug monitoring programs in every state;

3) decrease the supply of unused prescription drugs in homes; and

4) provide law enforcement with the tools necessary to eliminate improper prescribing practices and stop "doctor shopping" and drug-seeking behaviors.