SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 78

(By Senators Palumbo, Beach, Browning, Fanning, Jenkins, Klempa, Minard, Snyder, Tucker, Williams, Wills, Barnes, K. Facemyer and Nohe)

[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the need for legislation regarding the negative social and economic costs to the citizens and State of West Virginia due to the abuse of prescription medication.

    Whereas, prescription drug abuse is a serious problem in this state and country; and

    Whereas, the serious impact prescription drug abuse has on the criminal justice system, i.e. jails, prisons, public defender costs, or “direct costs” to the state are known or can be ascertained; and

    Whereas, there are serious additional costs that have not been considered such as theft, violence and other serious crimes that are tied directly to prescription drug abuse that have not been calculated into the costs to the state; and

    Whereas, approximately 80% of child abuse and neglect cases have prescription drug abuse as one of the core issues; and

    Whereas, according to the office of the United States Attorney lost time on the job in terms of productivity and loss of job opportunities because of prescription drug abuse are significant; and

    Whereas, prescription drug abuse even effects truancy which has shown an increase in recent years; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study legislation regarding the negative social and economic costs to the citizens and State of West Virginia due to the abuse of prescription medication; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the Legislature on the first day of the regular session, 2012, 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.