Preconsidered Res. No. 1232
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign the Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing Act (A.8320/S.5720A), legislation that would create an online database to report and track the prescription and dispensing of certain controlled substances.
By Council Members Nelson, Arroyo, the Speaker (Council Member Quinn), Koppell, Wills, Gonzalez, Fidler, Rose, Palma, Koslowitz, Vann, Gentile, Dickens, Cabrera, Comrie, James, Levin, Rodriguez, Vallone and Halloran
Whereas, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (D-NY) submitted a program bill to the State Legislature which would create the Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing Act (I-STOP); and
Whereas, Attorney General Schneiderman has called for the New York State Legislature to pass A.8320/S.5720A, legislation introduced by Assembly Member Michael Cusick (D-Staten Island) and Senator Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) that would create an online database to report and track the prescription and dispensing of certain controlled substances; and
Whereas, According to a report issued by the Attorney General that describes I-STOP, this legislation would provide health care practitioners and pharmacists with critical information to prevent over-prescribing, shut down illegal drug trafficking, and identify and treat patients who abuse prescription drugs; and
Whereas, The legislation would also allow practitioners, pharmacists, and other dispensers to access and report information concerning the prescribing and dispensing of specific types of medication at the time the prescription is issued or dispensed; and
Whereas, Currently, prescription drug monitoring programs operate in 43 states throughout the country; and
Whereas, This legislation would provide New York State with another tool to combat the prescription drug abuse epidemic; and
Whereas, Prescription drug abuse is a serious threat to the public health of all New Yorkers; and
Whereas, Individuals can abuse prescription drugs when they take medication in a manner inconsistent with the prescription or without a prescription for the medication; and
Whereas, Prescription drugs come in many categories, including opioid painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs and tranquilizers, sedatives and stimulants; and
Whereas, According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), approximately one out of seven New York City adults has misused prescription drugs; and
Whereas, From 2008 to 2009, 263,000 New Yorkers twelve and older reported non-medical use of prescription opioids, a 40 percent increase from 2002 to 2003; and
Whereas, DOHMH reports that oxycodone and hydrocodone were the most commonly prescribed prescription pain medication in New York City in 2008 to 2009, with approximately 900,000 oxycodone prescriptions and more than 825,000 hydrocodone prescriptions filled in 2009; and
Whereas, DOHMH warns that the misuse of prescription drugs can be as dangerous as illicit drugs; and
Whereas, Individuals can suffer serious effects from abusing prescription drugs including seizures, organ damage, heart problems, hallucinations and accidental overdose; and
Whereas, Accidental drug overdose is the third leading cause of death among New Yorkers between the ages of 25 to 34, and in 2008, 22 percent of these accidental overdoses involved prescription drugs; and
Whereas, While this problem affects all of New York City, prescription drug abuse is especially prevalent in the borough of Staten Island, where the rate of unintentional prescription pain medication death increased by 147 percent from 2005 to 2009; and
Whereas, Due to the growing concern and effect of prescription drug abuse in New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a prescription drug abuse task force in December 2011; and
Whereas, This problem is not limited to New York City- in June 2011, David Laffer entered a pharmacy in Medford, Long Island, with the intention to rob the pharmacy of its prescription drugs; and
Whereas, David Laffer killed four people and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without parole; and
Whereas, Given the significant public safety and health risk associated with prescription drugs, government must take affirmative action to keep New Yorkers safe; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign the Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing Act (A.8320/S.5720A), legislation that would create an online database to report and track the prescription and dispensing of certain controlled substances.
JM/JW
LS# 3239
2/17/12- 3:30 PM