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For the Parents of College Freshman


Need help with that conversation? Click here for a great resource to help you get started.

A Tough Pill to Swallow

Early registration has been extended to August 20
Topics:
  • Apply best prescribing practices for opioid analgesics and understand new policies and legislation affecting those practices
  • Evaluate patients for risk of opioid medication abuse, diversion and overdose
  • Explain options for Voluntary Reversible Long Acting Contraception available to women of childbearing age who are taking opioid analgesics
  • Employ methods to counsel patients and caregivers about the safe use of ER/LA opioid analgesics, including proper storage and disposal
  • Demonstrate knowledge about the disease of addiction and identify treatment and recovery resources for patients
Speakers:
  • Stephen Loyd, MD
  • David Bess, PharmD
  • Barry Staubus, JD
  • Steven Baumrucker, MD, FAAHPM, FAAFP
  • David Kirschke, MD
  • Cynthia Thomas, DO
  • Jason Abernathy
  • Angela Dickens
  • Alice McCaffrey

Have You Seen the New Campaign from SCRHD?


Count It, Lock It, Drop It


Many Players Needed to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse

Because prescription drugs are legal, they are easily accessible. Parents, law enforcement, the medical community, and all levels of government have a role to play in reducing prescription drug abuse. Here are some things you can do to reduce the abuse of prescription drugs:
  • Follow disposal guidelines: No matter who you are, you can help address this issue in your home. By following the guidelines, you reduce the risk of unintentional diversion or harm. Learn how to dispose of unused medicines, read the frequently asked questions about safe drug disposal, and get information on drug poisoning.
  • Talk to your kids: It's important that our children learn about the use and abuse of prescription drugs. For tips on having conversations with kids, read Time to Talk for tools to talk to preschoolers and grade-schoolers, Teen Culture or tips with teens, and view sample conversation starters.
  • Take advantage of community take-back programs: Call your city or county government's household trash and recycling service or your local police or sheriff's department to see if a take-back program is available in your community.
  • Seek treatment and support individuals in recovery: If you or a loved one needs help with a substance use disorder, find a treatment center near you today. Thousands of individuals who have struggled with substance use now have healthy and happy lives with the help of treatment and recovery services.

Pain Management Clinic Regulatory Changes in Tennessee

During the recent 2015 legislative session, changes were made in the regulation of pain management clinics in Tennessee. Here is a brief synopsis so that you and your community may better understand the new requirements.
  • Certificate owner of a pain management clinic must be awarded to an owner of the clinic that is also a licensed medical doctor, licensed osteopathic physician, licensed advanced practice nurse, or a licensed physician assistant who practices in TN with an unrestricted, unencumbered license.  Effective July 1, 2015 -  Prior to this ANYONE could own a pain management clinic and be the certificate holder.
  • Application for certificate must show proof that the clinic has a medical director who:

    1. Has a sub-specialty certification in pain medicine as accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME through the ABMS or the AOA (American Osteopathic Association), or is eligible to sit for the board examination offered by ABMS or AOA, and maintains the minimum number of continuing medical education (CME) hours in pain management to satisfy retention of ABMS or AOA certification;

    2. Meets the requirement of the ABPM (American Board of Pain Management) and is qualified to take the ABPM examination by July 1, 2016, when diplomate status is required and maintains the required number of continuing medical education as required by ABPM;

    3. Is Board certified by the American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians (ABIPP) by passing exam 1 and maintaining the minimum number of CME hours in pain management to satisfy retention of ABIPP diplomate status; or

    4. Has an active pain management practice in a clinic accredited in outpatient interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation by the commission on accreditation of rehabilitation facilities or any successor organization by July 1, 2016.
  • Adds a requirement that, by January 1, 2017, the commissioner of health develop recommended pain clinic standards for the operation of a pain management clinic that can be used by certified pain clinics in this state as a guide for operating a pain clinic.  
                  from: 

Count It, Lock It, Drop It


Do You:
  • Lock up you prescription or over-the-counter medications?
  • Count your prescription or over-the-counter medications?
  • Have children/teenagers living in or visiting your home?
  • Have visitors in your home?
  • Had medications taken without your permission?
If you said no to any of the above questions, go to www.CountItLockItDropIt.org for more information.

336 Pounds of Medications Collected

On Saturday, April 11, the combined haul of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office and the Bristol Police Department was 336 pounds of medications collected at their Take Back events. The Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition thanks these officers for this continued service to their communities.


If you missed the Take Back event, here are other places that you can drop your medications, any time, any day:

Next Medication Take Back Event

Saturday, April 11 from 10 AM - 2 PM


Carter County: Elizabethton Chamber of Commerce
Johnson County: Mountain City Town Hall 
Trade Fire Department  
Laurel Bloomery Fire Department 
Butler Fire Department
Shady Valley Fire Department
Sullivan County: Bristol Police Department Municipal Parking Lot
Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office
Washington County:Johnson City Police Department
Jonesborough Fire Hall

Thanks to the great work of too many to name!

House repeals Intractable Pain Act, last stop Haslam

                                                                                      Nick Shepard / March 19, 2015




Almost to the Governor's desk. Please ask him to sign it ASAP!

Help Repeal the Intractable Pain Treatment Act

Following the passage of the Intractable Pain Treatment Act in 2001, the Federal Government sued pharmaceutical companies for misrepresenting the addictive properties of pain medications and won.

Watch the video to understand Pill Mills...
...then contact your legislator


Prevention Alliance of Tennessee Has Identified Legislative Issues

When coalitions across Tennessee joined together to create the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee (PAT), the main interest was to discuss shared legislative issues  across the state. The issues identified by PAT for the 2015 legislative session are:
  • Advocate for the repeal of the Intractable Pain Treatment Act
  • Advocate for enhanced rules to regulate pain clinics to ensure they discourage illegal practices and increase standards of quality
  • Oppose legalization of marijuana until guidelines have been established (based on EFFECTIVE state models)
  • Advocate for sustainable funding for prevention coalition sustainability
For more information on the Intractable Pain Treatment Act and Marijuana, white papers can be found on their website.

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