title: Oregon's strategy to confront prescription opioid misuse: a case study.
abstract: Governor John Kitzhaber appointed a Prescription Drug Taskforce to address Oregon's opioid epidemic. This case study reviews the Taskforce's participation in the National Governors Association State Policy Academy on Reducing Prescription Drug Abuse. To address the challenge of the misuse and abuse of prescription opioids, the Taskforce developed a strategy for practice change, community education and enhanced access to safe opioid disposal using stakeholder meetings, consensus development, and five action steps: (1) fewer pills in circulation, (2) educate prescribers and the public on the risks of opioid use, (3) foster safe disposal of unused medication, (4) provide treatment for opioid dependence, and (5) continued leadership from the Governor, health plans and health professionals. Although the story is ongoing, there are lessons for leadership in other states and for public health and medical practitioners throughout the country.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA. Electronic address: mccartyd@ohsu.edu.
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCarty
authors.affiliation: Lincoln County District Attorney's Office, 225 W. Olive Street, Newport, OR 97365, USA.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bovett
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Programs, Oregon Health Authority, 500 Summer St. NE, Salem, OR 97301, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.affiliation: Lines for Life, 5100 SW Macadam Ave, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cushing
authors.affiliation: Oregon Association of Relief Nurseries, P.O. Box 42094, Portland, OR 97242, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Glynn
authors.affiliation: Oregon State Legislative Assembly, 900 Court St, NE, Salem, OR 97301, USA.
authors.forename: Senator Jeff
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.affiliation: Injury and Violence Prevention Program, Oregon Health Authority, 800 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR 97232, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Millet
authors.affiliation: Jackson County Health and Humans Services, 1005 E. Main Street, Medford, OR 97504, USA.
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shames
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000592:standards*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009922:Oregon; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011640:Public Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid
keywords: Prescriber education; Prescription drug monitoring program; Prescription opioids