VII. Conclusion
Scheduled prescription drugs are safe, effective, and necessary for intended patients, when prescribed for legitimate medical purposes. The diversion of prescription drugs for unintended, non-medical purposes is a national public health challenge. We are encouraged by increasing collaboration and cooperation between pharmaceutical companies and federal agencies, the medical community, and state regulators, which have instituted surveillance, pharmaceutical tracking, legal strategies, educational programs, risk management plans, tamper-free formulations and other procedures and polices to attenuate this escalating problem.
ONDCP is committed to eliminate diversion and abuse of potentially addictive prescription medications, by engaging Federal, private, legal and medical sectors in the creation of effective strategies and policies. The Synthetic Strategy focuses on methamphetamine with relevant programs applicable to prescription drug abuse. Screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT), Student Drug Testing and Drug Courts identify and steer methamphetamine or prescription drug abusers/addicts into intervention and treatment programs. Access to recovery (ATR) and State Block grants provide the necessary treatment.
The President’s Drug Control Policy is characterized by vigilance, flexibility, adaptability and innovative strategies to address emerging drug threats. The Administration is committed to developing an effective public health strategy that balances the legitimate medical use of prescription drugs by intended populations, while eliminating diversion and abuse of these medications by unintended populations. Multidisciplinary programs that provide surveillance, legal strategies, identification of prescription drug abusers and treatment capacity are major components of the Synthetic Strategy.
Thank you. I welcome questions from the Subcommittee.
