Ray Pryor Applauds Governor’s Prescription Drug Task Force

By Admin  

Rep. Pryor recently applauded Gov. Ted Strickland’s decision to create a Prescription Drug Task Force. The group will help unite the ongoing efforts at the federal, state and local levels, and build on their work to address this rising problem. 

 Rep. Pryor is currently working on legislation to stop prescription drugs from being obtained illegally.

 “I am pleased that the Governor has taken the initiative to bring this task force together,” said Rep. Pryor. “I believe this is the best way to create a good, comprehensive piece of legislation to help solve this problem.”

 The Ohio Department of Health reports that an average of four Ohioans per day die because of drug related poisoning. They say drug related deaths in the state increased more than 300-percent between 1999 and 2008, and prescription pain medications are primarily to blame.

 “My colleagues and I in the House have been working very hard over the past few months to find the best way to solve the narcotics abuse problem in Ohio. We have been meeting with a wide variety of groups seeking input and suggestions,” said Rep. Pryor. “I am confident this task force will help us move the process along more quickly toward solutions that will benefit all the people of this state.”

Rep. Pryor’s legislation will empower law enforcement and prosecutors to identify and prosecute offenders, put a stop to illegal Pain Clinics, and ultimately save the lives of Ohioans.

 In an announcement today, Gov. Strickland expressed support for a number of ideas that are being considered as part of Rep. Pryor’s legislation, including the licensure of pain clinics, and he called on all doctors and pharmacists to check the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System – a prescription tracking database – every time they prescribe or dispense pain medication.  The Governor also announced that the state has set aside $250,000 in Justice Assistance Grants that local law enforcement can apply for to expand or improve their efforts.

Filed in: Legislation

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