Calif. Lawmaker Wants To Limit Opioid Prescriptions To Three Days’ Worth
In addition, the legislation would require a doctor to justify why a patient needed that level of treatment if the dosage is not decreased by the third refill. Meanwhile, other lawmakers want to tap into the wealth of tech talent in the state to help battle the crisis.
Modesto Bee:
Opioid Prescriptions Would Be Limited Under California Bill
With California and the nation reeling from an epidemic of opioid abuse, one lawmaker believes the first step is limiting access to the highly addictive drugs. Assemblyman Freddie Rodriguez, D-Pomona, is pursuing legislation to limit prescriptions for opioids, which are often used as painkillers, to no more than three days. (Koseff, 2/5)
Sacramento Bee:
California Lawmakers Take On Opiate Abuse With Technology
On Tuesday, the chairman of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee will hold a hearing to explore ways the state can leverage its status as the cradle of technology to take on the opioid addiction crisis. Democratic Assemblyman Evan Low and his colleagues have offered a slate of proposals to address physician over-prescribing and other culprits. (Cadelago, 2/6)
And in other news on the epidemic —
San Francisco Chronicle:
SF Safe Injection Sites Expected To Be First In Nation, Open Around July 1
San Francisco is on track to open its first two safe injection sites this July, a milestone that will likely make the city the first in the country to embrace the controversial model of allowing drug users to shoot up under supervision. Other cities — including Seattle, Baltimore and Philadelphia — are talking about opening their own safe injection facilities, but San Francisco could get there first. (Knight, 2/5)
Orange County Register:
Embattled Sovereign Health Closing And Consolidating Centers
In the wake of reduced reimbursements from insurers and an FBI raid last June, Sovereign Health is closing and consolidating several treatment centers. The San Clemente-based mental health and addiction treatment provider is closing its facility in El Paso; moving its women’s facility in Chandler, Arizona, to a new and larger facility in Beaumont in Riverside County; and closing part of its treatment facility in Culver City, officials said. (Sforza, 2/5)