Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force (OPDATF) Issues Final Report

Recently, The Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force (OPDATF) issued 20 recommendations in an effort to stop Ohio’s prescription drug abuse epidemic. The OPDATF developed the 20 recommendations based on the work product of four public work groups: Law Enforcement, Regulatory, Treatment and Public Health. Dr. Lawrence Kent, AMCNO President-Elect represented the AMCNO as a member of the Treatment Work Group

A summary of the regulatory and treatment committee recommendations is below. For a full copy of the report, go to http://www.odh.ohio.gov/features/odhfeatures/drugod/drugoverdose.aspx

Regulatory

• Examine the regulation of prescriber dispensing of controlled substances
• Enable state agencies and private enterprises to create medication lock-in programs
• Reduce regulatory barriers to increase utilization of evidence-based treatment practices
• Encourage increased initial and continuing education on pain management and drug abuse
• Redesign the Medicaid lock-in program
• Implement changes to the state prescription monitoring program

Treatment

 Enhance resources available within the alcohol and other drug addiction system of care for direct client services
 Adopt a statewide standardized screening and referral tool
 Increase education of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery supp0ort services for prescription drug abuse
 Increase utilization of evidence-based practices to meet the growing need of opioid addicted individuals seeking help
 Identify best practices for managing acute and chronic non-malignant pain, and disseminate and promote these proven approaches.