Ohio Drug Abuse Task Force Issues Status Report

The 34-member Ohio Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force submitted a preliminary report to Gov. Ted Strickland, May 17, 2010, with recommendations to combat the growing number of “pill mills” and an alarming increase in prescription drug abuse. 

Task force recommendations include in part:  to establish local and regional task forces; enlist state medical and health care associations to actively address the problem; examine the feasibility of implementing standards for pain management clinics; identify other methods of addressing improper prescribing of pain medication; and increase the number of prescribers registered with the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System. 

Cleanne Cass, DO, of Dayton, and OOA Executive Director Jon F. Wills have attended all three meetings of the task force, including a May 11, 2010, session to prepare the report.  Cass submitted three proposals for inclusion, all of which were approved.  Her proposals address the needs of patients and protect the rights of legitimate prescribers to treat chronic pain.