U.S. drug czar sets sights on abuse of prescriptions

[BlueJessamine]

Source: Tennessean

Drug czar Gil Kerlikowske says one of his top priorities is curtailing abuse of prescription drugs such as the addictive painkiller OxyContin.

"We get overly concerned about (illegal) drugs coming in, but the pharmaceuticals are here already," he said during an interview in Nashville on Wednesday.

He'll push for more states to adopt prescription-monitoring programs, databases in which doctors and pharmacists log prescriptions for highly addictive drugs so police can track them.

Kerlikowske, who became director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy on May 7, described drug abuse as a "public health problem."


Read more: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090521/NEWS01/905210357/U.S.+drug+czar+sets+sights+on+abuse+of+prescriptions

[Warpy]

1. He's stupid

Instead of leaning on doctor feel good, who is responsible for maybe 5% of the oxy on the street, he needs to lean on the drug companies. They all divert that stuff to phony distributors that are nothing but mob fronts.

If he's serious about making a dent in the hillbilly heroin trade, that's where he should start.

Of course, the better idea would be to declare we lost, the drugs won, and put an end to this silly and futile waste of time and money forever.

[shadowknows69]

2. We're Amurika. We never lose any war

Vietnam doesn't count. We actually wanted to leave Saigon that quickly.

[saigon68]

5. Ah yes the good old days

[shadowknows69]

7. Pics aren't showing Saigon68 for some reason.

[Schema Thing]

9. Actually, Mr. Kerlikowske has said we won't be calling it a war anymore

[shadowknows69]

11. Ah, the Department of Euphemisms have come up with a snazzy new title?

[Schema Thing]

13. No, he just didn't think "war" was appropriate.

[Romulox]

16. He appears to think the POLICY is appropriate. He just wants to call it something else (bad PR). nt

[Ganja Ninja]

3. It's hard enough for people in chronic pain to get relief.

They need to come up with a system that doesn't punish the sick and dying for the abuse of others so they can get the drugs they need and deserve.

[shadowknows69]

8. I have no insurance and a deteriorating back/neck/shoulder

If I did't have Vicodan I'd probably have shot myself by now. All us poor have is our medically sanctioned opiates. They allow them to make us junkies and then they're going to punish us for it. Similar to cigarettes and alcohol, but those are ok to keep nice and legal. :eyes:

[jimmil]

12. I am with you.....

I have same deal... I hurt my back at work. Forget Workmans Comp, they are there to protect the company. I finally got treatment then I was laid off. Now I cannot find a job and I can't really work because of my back. No one will hire an old drug addict. Now, if it weren't for pain killers, I would be bed ridden. I seriously can't do anything other than sit in an easy chair or bed when I am off them. It's terrible.

[Tyler Generation]

4. Why the hell is he worried about prescription Opiates!?!?!?!

Doesn't he know marijuana is 1,000,000,000 TIMES MORE POTENT THAN THAT STUFF FROM THE 60'S!!!!!!!!!!! Won't someone think about the children and continue using our resources to fight the evils of reefer!

[shadowknows69]

10. Not to mention there is plenty of REAL Heroin on the streets

Someone remind me to write a depressing column on my theory about the de-population agenda.

[katandmoon]

6. Yeah, let's send more compassionate doctors to jail! As long as their names aren't Bush or Cheney--

Let's keep track of everybody else's behavior though! One pill over the line? Into the slammer!

[McCamy Taylor]

14. Oops! There go your chances to get compassionate care from your doctor.

They will be too scared of getting on a list to prescribe anything stronger than Motrin.

[Romulox]

15. You know what might work? A "War on Drugs"! nt