Write in to Rhode Island Senate Health and Human Services Committee members to support S2784

Please email the members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and urge them to vote S2784 requiring a conversation between prescribers and patients upon third prescription or second refill of an opioid-based painkiller out of Committee. You can click on their addresses below. A Sample email is provided as well
Senator Joshua Miller , Chair: sen-miller @rilegislature.gov

Senator Gayle l. Goldin, Vice-Chair: [email protected]

Senator Jeanine Calkin: [email protected]

Senator Elizabeth Crowley: [email protected]

Senator Thomas J. Paolino [email protected]

Senator Adam J Satchell: [email protected]

Senator James Sheehan: [email protected]

Senator Sosnowski: [email protected]

Sample Email

I urge you to vote S2784, requiring a conversation between prescriber and patient on 3rd prescription or second refill, out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Research shows that as people move into second and third prescriptions, the probabilities of becoming addicted to the medication substantially increases.

This common sense prevention measure builds on the state law adopted last year requiring a conversation between prescriber and patient before an opioid is first prescribed to discuss the potential risks of addiction as well as alternative treatment where the prescriber deems appropriate. It is essential to require it because in too many cases these discussions were not occurring and people received this highly addictive medication with no real warning or guidance.

This bill is championed by Prevent Opiate Abuse RI, a national organization working to educate patients and parents about the risks of opioid-based painkillers and the available non-opioid alternatives. Please support a floor vote for this life-saving legislation that can help curb Rhode Island’s opioid addiction epidemic.

Sincerely,


New Rhode Island Laws Aimed at Combating Opioid Epidemic

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Gov. Gina Raimondo has signed three bills into law aimed at combating Rhode Island’s opioid epidemic.

The legislation allows law enforcement access to an electronic database of prescription painkillers without a warrant; requires health care professionals to discuss the risks of addiction with patients when writing opioid prescriptions; and expands the type of pharmaceuticals that can be prescribed using electronic prescriptions, while ensuring patient privacy.

Read complete article here.


Providence Community Addiction Prevention Forum

Learn More about How to Combat our # 1 Public Health Problem

What:

Community Forum to provide information and discuss ways we can prevent addiction to opiate-based painkillers and heroin, recognize signs of addiction, ensure people struggling with addiction get treatment, and combat stigma.

Who:

Dr. Josiah Rich, Addiction Expert
Brown University and Miriam Hospital

Michelle McKenzie, MPH, Sr. Project Director
Miriam Hospital

Joanne Bilotta, Outreach Director
The Journey to Hope, Health and Healing, Inc.

Angela Conover
American Medicine Chest Challenge

When:

Tuesday, December 13, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

 

Where:

 

Vision Evangelica, 1014 Broad Street, Providence, RI

 

Sponsored by Prevent Opiate Abuse RI, The American Medicine Chest Challenge, City of Providence Healthy Communities Office, and The Journey to Hope, Health and Healing, Inc.

For more information, email: [email protected]


Video from Prevent Opiate Abuse Rhode Island Forum


American Medicine Chest Challenge – Rhode Island Locations

Rhode Island will be participating in the American Medicine Chest Challenge on November 14th, with drop locations throughout the state listed here, available for download here and listed below.

The event will take place on November 14, 2015 in communities across the country. This initiative will challenge Rhode Island residents to take the Five-Step American Medicine Chest Challenge:
• Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
• Secure your medicine chest.
• Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine in your home or at an American Medicine Chest Challenge Disposal site.
• Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed.
• Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

 

RHODE ISLAND AMERICAN MEDICINE CHECK CHALLENGE DROP BOX LOCATIONS

Barrington Police Department 110 Federal Road Barrington 401-437-3935

Burrillville Police Department 1477 Victory Highway Oakland 401-568-6255

Charlestown Police Department 4901 Old Post Road Charlestown 401-364-1212

Foster Police Department 182 Howard Hill Road Foster 401-397-3317

Hopkinton Police Department 406 Woodville Road Hopkinton 401-377-7750

Jamestown Police Department 250 Conanicus Avenue Jamestown 401-423-1212

Johnston Police Department 1651 Hartford Avenue Johnston 401-519-1903

Little Compton Police Department 60 Simmons Road Little Compton 401-635-2311

Middletown Police Department 123 Valley Road Middletown 401-846-1104

Narragansett Police Department 40 Caswell Street Narragansett 401-789-1091

Narragansett Indian Tribal Police Department 4375 B. South County Trail (Rear) Charlestown 401-364-1100

North Kingstown Police Department 8166 Post Road N Kingstown 401-294-3311

Providence Police Safety Complex 325 Washington Street Providence 401-421-2489

Richmond Police Department 1168 Main Street Wyoming 401-539-8289

Tiverton Police Department 20 Industrial Way Tiverton 401-625-6717

Warwick Police Department 99 Veterans Memorial Dr Warwick 401-468-4200

Westerly Police Department 60 Airport Road Westerly 401-596-2022

Woonsocket Police Department 242 Clinton Street Woonsocket 401-766-1212