Iowa Task Force to Make Recommendations for Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse Rates in the State

August 19, 2011 5:16 PM Topics: Prescription drug abuse

In Iowa a new Prescription Abuse Reduction Task Force convened on August 9, 2011, for the first of several meetings scheduled to address the rising rates of prescription drug abuse in the state. “The goal of the task force is to define the nature and scope of the nation’s fastest growing substance abuse problem as it relates to Iowa communities and recommend steps to reduce its impact on Iowans,” stated Mark Schouten, director of the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, in a press release. Task force members will discuss prevention efforts including, education, properly securing and disposing of medicines, prescription monitoring, and enforcement. Lloyd K. Jessen, RPh, JD, executive director, Iowa Board of Pharmacy, is a member of the task force which includes other pharmacists and regulators, as well as law enforcement, physicians, addiction specialists, among others. The task force will meet at least monthly, between August and November, and the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy will consider its recommendations in developing an Iowa Prescription Abuse Reduction plan.