Posted on August 31, 2017
HARTFORD – Newtown’s State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) attended a ceremonial bill signing of Public Act 17-131 An Act Preventing Prescription Opioid Diversion and Abuse on Thursday, August 31, 2017, at the Hartford Public Library.
“Today, I proudly stood with both Republicans and Democrats today in Hartford to enact bipartisan legislation that will immediately place protective limits on the over-prescribing of addictive prescription pain killers in our communities and state-wide. This law will also improve patient education regarding the safe use and proper disposal of these potential killers so they do not invite abuse, by simply being in our home medicine cabinets”, explained Rep. Bolinsky.
The law, which is effective immediately, reduces, from a seven-day supply to a five-day supply, the maximum amount of an opioid drug a practitioner may prescribe to a minor. Additionally, the law requires prescriptions for controlled substances to be transmitted electronically to a pharmacy, limiting opportunity for prescriptions to be filled more than necessary and creating a new level of prescriber accountability, especially for those who prescribe for profit.
“Newtown is not immune to this epidemic, which is why I had previously hosted a forum to educate residents and first responders about the proper use of the overdose reversal medication, NARCAN. Opioids and opiates do not discriminate in how they might affect each and every one of us in a negative way. While no legislation can prevent every tragedy from occurring, it can certainly provide the infrastructure needed to empower patients with the knowledge needed to avoid misuse and abuse of their prescriptions,” concluded Rep. Bolinsky.
According to the Department of Public Health and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the State of Connecticut has lost over 500 individuals to addiction within the current calendar year. Consequently, the state is on pace to lose over 1,000 souls if community leaders, families, and individuals do not take immediate action.
To learn more about available programs or services designed to help those battling addiction, please visit: http://www.ct.gov/dmhas
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