Getting New Yorkers to agree on anything usually takes nothing short of an act of Congress. However, we are pleased to acknowledge that all it took this week is an act of the state Legislature.
Unanimous votes in the Assembly and Senate led to the passage of the Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing Act, or I-STOP, intended to curb massive and growing prescription drug abuse.
One American dies every 19 minutes from prescription drug abuse, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Doctors, whether complicit or befuddled, have prescribed far too many narcotics. In 2009, there were nearly 900,000 oxycodone prescriptions and more than 825,000 hydrocodone prescriptions filled in New York City alone.
Statewide from 2002 to 2009, prescriptions for hydrocodone have increased 16.7 percent, while those for oxycodone have increased a whopping 82 percent.
I-STOP, a joint Attorney General-Governor program bill, passed the Assembly, 116-0, and the Senate, 58-0.
The legislation will create an online database to help doctors and pharmacists track controlled narcotics even as they are considering prescribing and filling prescriptions.
"This is a major victory for the people of New York. With I-STOP, we are creating a national model for smart, coordinated communication between health care providers and pharmacists to better serve patients, stop prescription drug trafficking, and provide treatment to those who need help," Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement Monday.
Among the bill's highlights:
"¢ I-STOP will make New York the first state to mandate that physicians consult a database of a patient's prescription history before prescribing certain controlled substances. This is to combat "doctor shopping," in which people go to several physicians with the hope of obtaining multiple prescriptions for narcotics.
"¢ I-STOP will make New York the second state to require real-time reporting by pharmacists when filling various prescriptions.
"¢ I-STOP will require a universal mandate _ beginning in December 2014 _ for Internet prescribing of controlled substances to attempt to eliminate forged or stolen prescriptions by addicts and drug dealers.
"¢ I-STOP will end automatic refills for hydrocodone.
"I applaud the Senate and Assembly for passing legislation that will be a critical force in our state's fight against prescription drug abuse," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a statement. "Too many families have had to cope with the devastating loss of a teenager as a result of a prescription drug overdose."
We applaud the governor and especially the attorney general, along with the Legislature for passage of this important common-sense bill that takes excellent advantage of current technology to combat substance abuse.
Opinion
I-STOP a good step against drug abuse
- Opinion
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Schools must find ways to deal with threats
Anonymous threats to schools are nothing new. Through the years, they have consisted -- among other messages -- of anonymous phone calls, magazine or newspaper lettering glued to a letter, and scrawled warnings on a bathroom mirror.
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City should improve access to river
Many cities make the river running through it a focal point for its scenic qualities. By doing this, they attract more people to their city to spend some time there and also utilize the stores, restaurants and hotels.
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Otsego County veteran's director is top-notch
The veterans of Otsego County are being well-served by Jack Henson, director. I feel he is the best director that has ever served in this county.
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On our Opinion: Cheers
To the DEP's "The Watershed Experience," the Oneonta High School Envirothon team, and to ROPS rebate funding.
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Make sure Blodgett project holds water
Many thanks to Dennis Finn and the Planning Commission for allowing unrestricted public comment on the Blodgett Drive housing project at the commission’s May 15 meeting. Most who spoke are residents of the area who know the safety and drainage issues well.
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We need a law against Google Glass
It’s a technological marvel; a product ahead of its time, or at least ahead of the law for the time being, that is.
- Monday, May 20, 2013
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Make sure you vote in school tax election
School superintendents have it anything but easy in these challenging economic times. In addition to dealing with myriad day-to-day and semester-to-semester issues, they have to have Solomon-like political acumen and management skills.
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No foreign aid until our needs are met
I couldn't agree more with Sal Furnari's letter published in the Weekend edition. I would also like to add that when I was growing up I was taught to "take care of my own first" and then share with others.
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THIS WEEK'S POLL
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It's sad to see Rich Murphy retire
It was a sad day for Otsego County when Rich Murphy announced his intention to retire from the county board at the end of his current term.
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Liberal media only care about themselves
Sounds like it all depends on 'whose ox is being gored' when it comes to the illegal phone tappings of reporters.
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Street Talk: May 20, 2013
Do you think that recent high school graduates have a harder time finding a job than previous generations?
- Saturday, May 18, 2013
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Casino in our area worth talking about
If Gov. Andrew Cuomo has his way, casinos will be awarded to three upstate locations.
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Public financing could cure pols' paranoia
Paranoia is an irrational fear of persons, places or events that have no basis in reality.
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Resort proposal is just too big
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center is a New York state taxpayer-owned recreational area. People who have paid for BMSC with their hard-earned dollars should not have to also pay for the infrastructure necessary to assure an enjoyable ski experience for the visitors to a private developer's monster mega-mall/spa resort on a mountaintop.
- Friday, May 17, 2013
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Take precautions to prevent kidnappings
It has been nearly two weeks since the arrest of Ariel Castro in Cleveland on rape and kidnapping charges for acts that should send a chill through the spines of everyone in America.
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Redistributing wealth just isn't fair
Yesterday a dozen of us were eating lunch in the break room where I work, most of us complaining that all we could afford was peanut butter and jelly and bologna ... except for Rob.
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Hoping many will adopt a grave
It's that time of year again; adopt a grave. I am hoping when you buy flowers or a plant for a family member or friend's grave that you will buy some for another grave. I wish everyone would open up their heart and honor someone else by putting flowers on their grave. My hope is that groups, families and youth groups adopt a cemetery or a grave, and at least once a year that person or persons will be remembered. I started out with two and now am up to 14. It doesn't have to be expensive; just what your heart tells you to do.
- Thursday, May 16, 2013
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IRS, Justice actions violate our trust
After the recent actions of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Justice Department, belief in the integrity of our government is hanging by a very slender thread.
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Blame Dems for Social Security woes
In his inaugural address President Kennedy said: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.'
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Schools must find ways to deal with threats
