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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 546

 
2    WHEREAS, Prescription drug abuse has recently been
3classified as an epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control
4and Prevention; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The consequences of our nation's fastest growing
6drug problem are spreading throughout Illinois, particularly
7in metropolitan areas; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Between 2004 and 2008, the estimated number of
9emergency department visits linked to the non-medical use of
10prescription pain relievers doubled; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The increase in the percentage of admissions for
12abuse of pain relievers spans every age, gender, race,
13ethnicity, educational level, employment level, and region of
14the State; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Many individuals who misuse prescription drugs,
16particularly teens and some parents, believe these substances
17are safer than illicit drugs because they are prescribed by a
18healthcare professional and dispensed by a pharmacist; and
 
19    WHEREAS, According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use
20and Health, among persons aged 12 or older who used pain

 

 

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1relievers non-medically in the past 12 months, 55.9% got the
2pain relievers they most recently used from a friend or
3relative for free; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Drug-induced deaths now outnumber gunshot deaths
5in America and are fast approaching motor vehicle crashes as
6the leading cause of injury-related death; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The Obama Administration recognizes the need to
8balance prevention, education, and enforcement, with the need
9for legitimate access to these controlled substances; and
 
10    WHEREAS, The 2011 Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan
11reflects a national consultation process through which the
12Director of National Drug Control Policy consulted with mayors,
13health care professionals, law enforcement officials, and
14other local community leaders to identify the best approaches
15to use in combating prescription drug abuse; and
 
16    WHEREAS, As a result of numerous visits to communities
17ravaged by prescription drug abuse, President Obama's
18Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan reflects a
19multifaceted approach that brings together a variety of
20federal, state, local, and tribal entities; and
 
21    WHEREAS, The Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan

 

 

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1highlights 4 elements to help reduce the abuse of prescription
2drugs: education, prescription drug monitoring programs,
3proper medication disposal, and enforcement; and
 
4    WHEREAS, The policies outlined in the Prescription Drug
5Abuse Prevention Plan, when implemented, should reduce public
6spending while improving public health; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
8ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Illinois Senate
9declares June 2012 as Prescription Drug Safety Awareness Month
10in the State of Illinois and recognizes the Prescription Drug
11Abuse Prevention Plan's call to:
 
12        1) educate the public about the dangers of abusing
13    prescription drugs;
14        2) implement and enhance prescription drug monitoring
15    programs in every state;
16        3) decrease the supply of unused prescription drugs in
17    homes; and
18        4) provide law enforcement with the tools necessary to
19    eliminate improper prescribing practices and stop "doctor
20    shopping" and drug-seeking behaviors.