The Dominion Post
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia Sheriffs Association expressed concern with a bill that would allow more people to prescribe opioid-based drugs — an issue described as an epidemic across the state.
“It’s the number one killer of those under 25 years of age,” Raleigh County Sheriff Steve Tanner said of opioid addiction.
Tanner heads the West Virginia Sheriffs Association and on Wednesday held a conference call where he expressed concern with part of a bill that has already passed the House of Delegates and is now before the Senate.
As part of HB 4334, a person designated as an advanced practice registered nurse could provide a 72-hours supply of prescriptions for Schedule II narcotics. That would include opioid-based drugs such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.
Tanner said some of the drugs are very strong and addictive.
“We have an epidemic all over the state,” Tanner said.
The sheriff was quick to say the association supports nurses and isn’t trying to tell health care professionals how to care for patients. But, they do have concerns about having another group able to provide the drug and make it more available.
“We’re afraid our epidemic would continue and not decrease,” he said.
Tanner said they were initially unaware of the bill and described it as having the right intentions, but the association had its questions. Currently, they have a system with doctors and pharmacists to try and track people who “doctor shop” by going to different physicians. He added he didn’t know if the system could handle the additional personnel.
He also noted the increase in the crime rate as people try to get their drugs and said it costs the state millions of dollars each year.
Monongalia County Sheriff Al Kisner said he supports the association’s position as the bill adds more people who can prescribe the drugs.
“We don’t think it’s a good idea,” Kisner said.
Opioid use is a problem in north-central West Virginia, Kisner said. He added the biggest issues are heroin and prescription pills.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) recently visited Marion County to try to learn about ways to combat opioid abuse. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, William J. Ihlenfeld II, has also spoken out against opioid abuse.
Copyright 2016 The Dominion Post