PREVENTION INFORMATION FOR PRESCRIBERS
Because opioid addiction begins most commonly with prescription medication, physicians and dentists have a vital role to play in substantively reducing the burden of prescription drug abuse and overdose in Georgia. Below is information about that and other resources available for the education of your team and patients.
The CDC has recently updated its guidelines for prescribers. LEARN MORE.
SIX POINT CHECKLIST WHEN CONSIDERING PRESCRIBING AN OPIOID:
- How definable is the source of pain?
- SCREEN for risk of addiction
- Consider ALL treatment options
- If opioids are prescribed:
- Use the LOWEST effective dose
- Use the LOWEST number of pills
5. EDUCATE the patient
- Risks/benefits of opioid use
- Sharing opioid medications is illegal
- Proper storage/disposal
- Georgia’s 9-1-1 Medical Amnesty Law
- The availability of naloxone in Georgia without a prescription and lay person training available on this web site.
Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., has issued a standing order that authorizes pharmacies to “dispense naloxone in any of the forms that are outlined in Exhibit A of the standing order.” Naloxone counteracts the effects of drug overdoses.
6. MONITOR the patient for misuse/diversion
- Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
- Controlled substances agreement
- Drug screening/pill counts
* Endorsed by the Georgia Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and the Georgia Society of Addictive Medicine.
MAG Foundation’s ‘Think About It’ Campaign
“Think About it,” a program of the Medical Association of Georgia has many resources available for physicians as they work to lead the way in ending this man-made crisis. Visit the MAG web site to learn more about required training, changes in laws related to opioid prescribing and materials for your office and patients including posters and brochures.
Contact Lori Cassity Murphy at 678.303.9282 or lmurphy@mag.org for additional information or to support the MAG Foundation’s ‘Think About It’ campaign with a tax-deductible donation.
SAMSA PRESCRIBERS’ TOOL KIT
DOWNLOAD THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION GUIDE FOR PRESCRIBERS