OUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 74

(By Delegates Perdue, Hatfield, Campbell, Cann, Eldridge, Fleischauer, Long, Marshall, Moore, Moye, Pino, Rodighiero, Staggers, Spencer, Wysong, Ashley, Border, Canterbury, Lane, Miller J., Rowan and Sumner)


(Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources)

[February 27, 2008]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the need for a comprehensive, collaborative entity made up of experts in prevention, treatment and intervention to plan and coordinate West Virginia's response to the problem of substance abuse.

Whereas, Substance abuse continues to take a devastating toll on West Virginia's citizens, families and communities; and
Whereas, The combined annual cost of the effects of substance abuse in West Virginia is approaching two billion dollars according to the Public Consulting Group in a report to the Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities; and
W HEREAS , West Virginia has the highest death rate from drug overdose for adults under age forty-five; and
W HEREAS , Prescription drug abuse has reached alarming levels in West Virginia; and
Whereas, many controlled substances have useful, legitimate, and scientific purposes, and are necessary for appropriate pain management; and
W HEREAS , The United State Congress declared its intention to assist state and local communities by making grants available to those states that establish and maintain a substance abuse prevention and intervention planning body; and
whereas, Substance abuse and mental health prevention activities and public health awareness programs should be coordinated across Bureaus and across the state utilizing a partnership that should include leadership from both the executive branch and the legislative branches of state government; and
W HEREAS , Pursuant to the declarations of Congress, the Governor has established the West Virginia Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being by Executive Order No. 8-04; therefore, be it
Resolved by the West Virginia Legislature:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the need for a comprehensive, collaborative entity made up of experts in prevention, treatment and intervention and law enforcement to plan and coordinate West Virginia's response to the problem of substance abuse; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, as part of the study, review provisions in state law and policies regarding pain management and consider how best to prevent the diversion of prescription medication without impeding pain control for patients with a legitimate medical need for pain management prescription drugs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, as part of the study, consider whether physicians prescribing controlled substances should be required to review the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy's online Prescription Drug Monitoring Program before prescribing and that part of the study include a review of the appropriate use and access by various groups of the Board of Pharmacy's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program; and, be it
Further resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, as part of the study, consider the development of a community-based, data-driven behavioral health promotion system that relies on evidence-based practice using models such as the Strategic Prevention framework, to build local capacity and develop a statewide support system using a regional technical assistance/consulting model;
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, as part of the study, consider the identification of a comprehensive, coordinated approach to aggregate and review data regarding substance abuse in West Virginia, to develop policy positions for legislative consideration and to work to create a public media campaign to educate the public on the issues related to substance abuse; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, as part of the study, consider the codification of a coordinating body to assure collaboration amongst all the agencies and entities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee of Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2009, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.