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.