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June 30, 2011

Assemblyman Dean Murray Hosts Successful Legislative Summit on Prescription Drug Abuse
Panel of Law Enforcement, Pharmaceutical, Counselor & Medical Experts Generate Ideas to Fight Prescription Drug Abuse
Assemblyman Dean Murray (R,C -East Patchogue) held a successful legislative summit on prescription drug abuse at Briarcliffe College in Patchogue today. Joined by State Senator Lee M. Zeldin (R, C, I -Shirley) and Michael Cusick (D-Staten Island), the legislators held a two hour working forum with a panel from the medical, law enforcement, pharmaceutical and counselor fields to discuss changes to New York State law that would combat prescription drug abuse. Less than two weeks ago, this community was stricken with a tragedy where four lives were senselessly lost. That incident was a symptom of a problem that has reached epidemic proportions across our state the abuse of prescription drugs, and the crime that goes hand in hand with it, said Assemblyman Murray. Our goal today was to bring together experts in a number of fields that deal with this problem on a daily basis, from different perspectives, and to see what we can do to strengthen our existing laws, or create new laws where none presently exist. This was a very productive discussion, and I believe we achieved that goal. On Sunday, June 19 four people were murdered in Medford by a man specifically interested in stealing prescription pain killers from a pharmacy for an addiction he and his wife have. Calls the Long Island Pharmacists Society and other groups to limit the accessibility of these drugs to those who are abusing them have increased since this tragedy. The senseless murder of four lives has struck our community in a profound way. This tragedy has put a spotlight on a growing epidemic in our community, the abuse and misuse of prescription drugs. Partnering with experts in the field, and my colleagues in the State Legislature, I hope we can continue to develop concrete legislative solutions to help address this epidemic, said Senator Zeldin. This discussion on the impact of prescription-drug abuse, its devastating consequences, and the need to curtail it, was absolutely necessary. Tougher legislation must be enacted

to deter drug abuse. However, we must take a common-sense approach, said Assemblyman Cusick. People that need the drugs, due to illness, should be able to attain them. The goal is to contain and, ultimately, eradicate illegal prescription drug abuse; not cast a shadow on those who legitimately need prescription drugs. Members of the panel included: Joanne Hoffman Beechko R.Ph., President, Long Island Pharmacists Society Dr. Ronald Klein, Chief Medical Officer, Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Lt. Detective William Burke, Commanding Officer, Suffolk Police Narcotics Unit Deputy Inspector Gerard McCarthy, Suffolk Police Seventh Precinct Det. Pamela Stark, Nassau County Police Community Affairs Alan Groveman, President, Suffolk County School Superintendents Association Jeffrey Reynolds, Exec. Director, L.I. Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence Dr. Frank Favazza, chiropractor While New York State has been working for several decades to combat the abuse of prescription controlled substances, these efforts have been expanded in recent years as the extent of the prescription drug abuse epidemic has become apparent. In the 2011 legislative session, two pieces of legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Cusick were passed in an effort to prevent doctor shopping by giving pharmacists access to data from the Department of Healths Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. The first of these bills, A.3806-B, contained provisions giving pharmacists access to the data. The second, A.7917-A, contained both the provisions giving pharmacists access to the data and a variety of other changes to the states controlled substance statutes. Neither of these pieces of legislation passed the NYS Senate. A number of suggestions were discussed for changes to existing laws, or for new laws to fight the problem of prescription drug abuse. Ideas were generated that address the problem from before drugs are prescribed by the doctors, when they are dispensed, in preventing accidental addiction, making treatment available, and stronger laws for those who deal in these pills, said Assemblyman Murray. This summit was an important first step in beginning this discussion. Now, we will follow up with public hearings and draft legislation, and continue to have all the stakeholders in this issue continue to communicate and work together. - 30 -