Please Read Dr. Dreyzehner's Commentary on NAS
Commissioner of the Department of Health outlines the problem with Neonatal Alcohol Syndrome and what is being done in Tennessee at http://www.tricities.com/news/
Prescription Drug Act of 2012 Moving TN Forward
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has recently updated its Prescription Monitoring Program map to show the status of state data sharing programs as live, pending, prospective and no program in place. Last year's Prescription Drug Act has allowed Tennessee to participate in this national data sharing program.
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| National Association of Boards of Pharmacy |
Preventing Underage Tobacco Use
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| From Top News |
First, a group with expertise from across the county have are put together a draft strategy. For the next month, it will be introduced to different sectors who will be key in implementation. Following our next Coalition meeting, the strategy will be finalized after considering all of the community input.
Second, Nicotine Free Mountain Empire (NFME) and the Coalition are discussing how to combine forces so the vision and strategies of each complement and support each others efforts. NFME has been educating Kingsport and Sullivan County 5th and 6th graders for years. The Coalition will support and expand their effort, while staying focused on enforcement of current laws.
Last, but certainly not least, Dr. Hadii Mamudu, of ETSU College of Public Health and internationally recognized expert in tobacco policy, has agreed to work with the coalition to ensure that we are focused on efforts that are evidenced based.
Legislation from Tennessee 2011-12 Session
Tennessee Prescription Safety Act — This bill requires pharmacists and doctors to register with the Controlled Substance Monitoring Database so that they can check a patients history before prescribing pain medications. The plan is designed to improve public safety statewide and curb the prevalent practice of “doctor shopping.”
Pharmacies must begin using the database by January 2013 and doctors by April 2013. Before becoming law, registration to the database was voluntary with roughly one third of doctors participating.
Anti-Meth Bill — This bill combats the growing problem of methamphetamine manufacturing. Below are key provisions of the law, many of which take effect July 1:
Drug Courts — Governor Haslam has transferred the Drug Court programs from the Department of Finance and Administration (F & A) to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) effective July 1, 2012. The transfer of drug courts to TDMHSAS is meant to lessen duplication of effort and align with the department’s role as the substance abuse authority in the state.
Drug courts were established as an alternative to jails and prisons and are designed to foster recovery. For many arrested on drug-related offenses, prison is not the answer, and research has shown treatment costs are lower than costs associated with incarceration. Drug courts refer clients to substance abuse community agencies that provide intervention and treatment services, which are funded, contracted and licensed by
TDMHSAS.
Penalties for DUI — The law increases penalty for violation of DUI statute when child under 18 is in the vehicle to require that the mandatory minimum 30-day sentence for this offense be served consecutive to any sentence received for a violation of specified other alcohol-related offenses.
Pharmacies must begin using the database by January 2013 and doctors by April 2013. Before becoming law, registration to the database was voluntary with roughly one third of doctors participating.
Anti-Meth Bill — This bill combats the growing problem of methamphetamine manufacturing. Below are key provisions of the law, many of which take effect July 1:
- makes such sales information readily available to law enforcement;
- makes it easier to prosecute those who make multiple purchases of pseudo-ephedrine products at different times and places for the purpose of exceeding the acceptable amount, or through use of false identification;
- enforces minimum mandatory fines on offenders
Bath Salts Bill
— The law increases penalties for persons who manufacture, deliver, sell, or possess with the intent to sell, deliver, or manufacture an imitation controlled substance commonly known as bath salts. The law closes a loophole that had allowed makers of the drug to make minor changes to their recipes in order to skirt the law.
Drug Courts — Governor Haslam has transferred the Drug Court programs from the Department of Finance and Administration (F & A) to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) effective July 1, 2012. The transfer of drug courts to TDMHSAS is meant to lessen duplication of effort and align with the department’s role as the substance abuse authority in the state.
Drug courts were established as an alternative to jails and prisons and are designed to foster recovery. For many arrested on drug-related offenses, prison is not the answer, and research has shown treatment costs are lower than costs associated with incarceration. Drug courts refer clients to substance abuse community agencies that provide intervention and treatment services, which are funded, contracted and licensed by
TDMHSAS.
Penalties for DUI — The law increases penalty for violation of DUI statute when child under 18 is in the vehicle to require that the mandatory minimum 30-day sentence for this offense be served consecutive to any sentence received for a violation of specified other alcohol-related offenses.
(Some Information from the TAADAS Times Summer Newsletter, DUI information provided by Christopher Rogers)
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