Dr. Steven Passik, Ph.D.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) just announced its new domestic drug control strategy. The policy puts the spotlight on the issue of abuse of prescription medicine in addition to illegal drug use. Here’s a link to AP story www.google.com Although chronic pain is the number-one cause of adult disability in the US and the most common reason Americans access the healthcare system, many physicians don’t prescribe opioids fearing abuse and dependency, reducing patients’ access to pain control. Innovative solutions by communities, leaders and industry that include access to emerging therapies that can also help prevent abuse and misuse are critical to addressing this public health issue. www.painfoundation.org Memorial Sloan-Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center psychologist Dr. Steven Passik, PhD will provide perspective on the domestic issue of prescription drug abuse and the strategies needed to tackle this crisis. Fast Facts: · On average approximately 11.4 million persons (4.8%) aged 12 years or older have indicated nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers annually · Each year, drug abuse and addiction cost US taxpayers nearly 4 billion in preventable health care, law enforcement, crime, and other costs The number of people abusing prescription medications nearly doubled between 1992 and 2003[i] · Pain relievers are responsible for 75% of all prescription abuse In the past year, rates of nonmedical use of pain relievers are higher than rates of use for …