A.G. Gancarski
While there no doubt will be many contentious issues in the 2018 Legislative Session, the fight against opioid addiction will not be one of them.
A Friday press release from the Governor’s Office indicates bicameral backing for HB 21, a bill filed Friday by Rep. Jim Boyd.
Among the conditions of the bill — in most instanced, prescribers will be limited to a three-day prescription. However, in cases where it is “medically necessary” and no alternative treatments are available, a seven-day script may be permissible.
The bill also requires practitioners to complete a two-hour continuing education course by the end of January 2019. Such a course will have to be completed biennially.
As well, all health care professionals that prescribe or dispense medication must participate in the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.
Along those lines, the bill targets unlicensed pain management clinics — very often, a nexus for abuse.
Governor Scott said, “We made a commitment here in Florida to do everything possible to support our communities and fight the national opioid epidemic, and while we have taken major steps to fight this crisis, more must be done.”
This “major legislation” during the upcoming legislative session, said Scott, will accompany “more than $50 million in my recommended budget to combat opioid abuse in our state.”
“These proposals will make a major impact on limiting the chance of drug addiction, reducing the ability for dangerous drugs to spread in our communities, giving vulnerable Floridians the support they need, and ensuring our hardworking law enforcement officers have the resources to protect Floridians,” Scott said.
Attorney General Pam Bondi attested to the gravity of the situation: “We are in the midst of a national opioid crisis claiming lives in Florida, and we must do everything we can to stop drug abuse and save lives.”
Bondi believes “these legislative initiatives that will help stop addiction before it begins.”
“The Senate is committed to working with our partners across the state to combat opioid abuse,” said Senate President Joe Negron.
“The Senate looks forward to working with Governor Scott and our colleagues in the Florida House as we continue to do all we can to protect Florida communities from this national epidemic,” Negron added.
“The State of Florida is fully dedicated to protecting our families and communities from the national opioid epidemic. I look forward to continuing to work together with Governor Scott and my fellow Legislators to ensure our families, healthcare professionals and law enforcement officers have all the resources they need in this fight,” added House Speaker Richard Corcoran.
Representative Jim Boyd said, “I was proud to join Governor Scott today to announce these important proposals to combat opioid abuse across our state. We will continue to work to protect every family in Florida.”
