Opioid prescriptions down, but still high

November 30, 2016

According to the annual report from New Hampshire’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), the number of highly addictive opioid prescriptions decreased by roughly 10% from 2015 to 2016.

This was true even though the number of doctors using the PDMP increased.

The PDMP is a database that requires doctors to record addictive prescriptions. The database then shows if a patient is seeking prescriptions in multiple locations, or “doctor shopping.”

Although the total number of opioid prescriptions has decreased, roughly one-third of New Hampshire residents were prescribed at least one potentially addicting drug last year.

The number of drug overdose fatalities in New Hampshire also increased over last year. In 2015 there were 439 drug overdose deaths; in 2016 the medical examiner is projecting 488 deaths.

It appears that legal prescriptions are not being abused as frequently, but illegally obtained opioids are still easily available.

Do you have an opinion on the PDMP? Let us know in the comments.

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November 30, 2016

While I agree that drug addiction in NH is at an all time high, I would suggest that alcohol addiction is likely just as high. What seems to have happened is the politicization of "opioid abuse" which has quickly led to a political correctness campaign against all opioid consumption, legal or otherwise. Firstly, the commentary that oxycontin and hydrocodone, etc., are somehow spiking because of legal prescriptions is pure political hogwash. I am certain that there probably are some who sell or give away their pain meds, but they would be in the very smallest minority. Moreover, a quick survey of drug deaths in NH shows that the largest number of deaths occurs in the less than 40 age group. In short, people such as me who have chronic and debilitating pain are unable to access effective medications because of the fear by providers of being marked as an over-prescriber. I have spoken with providers in my area and entire clinics have "taken the pledge" to not provide opioid prescriptions. This is all a result of politicians deciding that we have a problem and then legislating medical care from the comfort of their political offices. In the meantime, honest, hard working, chronic pain patients are now the forgotten segment of the population. If they try to access more powerful drugs than OTC, they are immediately suspected of drug abuse and/or doctor shopping to support their "habit." In an effort to get rid of an enemy, our NH political system has shot and killed everyone on the battlefield.

Opioid prescriptions down, but still high

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