Michael Gottlieb of the Office of National Drug Control Policy congratulated Wisconsin on Wednesday for being one of 24 states with a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP).
Gottlieb spoke at a Milwaukee forum on the dangers of heroin use, and reviewed the four-point plan that President Barack Obama spelled out to address growing use of the drug. He said that PDMPs, which try to reduce the misuse of medicine that can get people on the road to heroin, are growing.
“As of … April of 2014, there are now 24 states with PDMPs that can share their state data across state lines, which we believe is critical,” said Gottlieb. “And Wisconsin is one of those states, so congratulations.”
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Added Gottlieb: “The administration will continue to focus on expanding interstate data-sharing, streamlining PDMP operations, and ensuring that federal agencies such as the VA and the Indian Health Service can share their PDMP data with state prescribers as well.”
State Rep. John Nygren of Marinette notes Wisconsin’s PDMP has only been running since August and is optional.
“That’s something that we probably need to take a look at and say that if it’s going to be effective, it needs to be mandated,” said Nygren. “I’m not someone who’s big on mandates, but when the medical community and those involved say that this is something that’s right to do, then it’s time to do that.”
Nygren also has a more personal struggle ahead: His daughter Cassie, who has been incarcerated for heroin use, is scheduled to be released on Friday. Nygren said he’s optimistic, yet nervous and scared for her future.
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