Women In Government Actions

Women In Government has begin to work on the issues of Pain Management and Prescription Drugs, by featuring the topic at out Conferences. While working to improve pain in America, caregivers must not loose sight of drug abuse problems. Key initiatives, like state-based opioum guidelines and limitations, mandatory continuing medical education, and prescription drug monitoring programs are now under way and could serve as useful tools. Done wrong, however, these policies can harm people living with pain whose ability to live a life of quality and dignity could be unjustly damaged. Women In Government is working to provide legislators with information to help them support policies that keep all the issues in mind.

Recent Events

May 2012
Women In Government featured a session on preventing prescription drug abuse among teens and young adults at the Outreach to Vulnerable Populations Conference in Portland, Oregon. Steve Pasierb, the President and CEO of the Partnership at Drugfree.org, spoke about his work to prevent and address teen drug abuse, especially related to the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs. To learn more, please view his presentation here.

August 2011
At Women In Government's Outreach to Vulnerable Populations conference, prescription drugs and families were featured. Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, in conjunction with the Washington Health Foundation, the Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), and other national organizations, have partnered to provide a unique set of resources designed to help teens and college students confront this unique health concern. Cathy Allen, who owns the Seattle-based Connections Group, an international communications and public policy advocacy group spoke. Ms. Allen helped to launch the college drug education partnership with Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna’s office four years ago which has resulted in over 40 major steps to reduce prescription and over the counter drug abuse on college campuses in Washington state. Her work included filming college campus “fishbowl” parties where students brought whatever drugs they had to add to a “fishbowl” for recreational use. She also conducted focus groups with college students where both Attorney General Rob McKenna and top PhRMA officials were in the back room collaborating on what might be done to curb abuse.

July 2011
At Women In Government's 18th Annual Midwestern Regional Conference, pain management and prescription drugs were featured. Cody Wiberg, PharmD, RPh, Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy, spoke about the variety of approaches to concerns regarding the abuse of prescription drugs used for pain management, as well as a national effort to coordinate sharing of data from state prescription drug monitoring programs. Dr. Wiberg also spoke about individuals struggling with personal pain and experiences, and how state laws regarding prescription drugs can affect their lives. His presentation is available here. He was joined by Josh Bolin, the Director of Government Affairs for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Mr. Bolin discussed the role of pharmacists and how security is a major issue with prescription drug monitoring programs. His presentation is available here, as well as two additional handouts available here, and here.

June 2011
Women In Government featured this topic at the 14th Annual Western Regional Conference. Senator Irene Aguilar, MD from the Colorado State Legislature gave her presentation on what legislators can do to help physicians appropriately distribute pain medication. Her presentation is available here. This session discussed the specific impacts of prescription drug abuse and present options for prevention and education, as well as monitoring programs, that will help prevent abuse while also ensuring that patients who need these medications have access to them.

April 2011
Women In Government hosted a State Briefing in Denver, Colorado with Senator Nancy Spence, Senator Suzanne Williams, Representative Marsha Looper, and Representative Nancy Todd. This briefing featured expert speakers such as Beverly Gmerek, a Program Coordinator for the Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Program, who gave a presentation on the issues of drug abuse and prescription drug monitoring programs. Colorado State Senator Irene Aguilar also presented on her legislation on this topic. Women In Government is working to provide legislators with information to help them support policies that keep all the issues related to pain management and prescription drug programs in mind.

November 2010
At the First Annual Healthcare Summit, Women In Government featured a presentation from the Director of Communications at the American Pain Foundation, Micke Brown, BSN, SN.