HEALTH COMMITTEES TO HEAR TESTIMONY ON DRUG TAKE BACK AND DISPOSAL PROGRAMS TO FIGHT THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC

WHO:             Representative John Mizuno, Chair, House Committee on Health

Senator Rosalyn Baker, Chair, Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health

WHAT:          Informational Briefing to review Hawaiʻi’s policy on safe drug take back and disposal programs to fight the opioid epidemic

WHEN:          Thursday, November 21, 2019

                        10 a.m.

                       

WHERE:       Hawaii State Capitol

                        Room 309

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –The House Committee on Health and the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health Committee will hold an informational briefing policy on the prescription drug take back program and the efficiency of onsite destruction of opioids in room 309 at 10 a.m. Nov. 21 at the State Capitol.

HB1272 which was signed into law on July 2, 2019 as Act 183 allows for the safe prescription drug take back and disposal program being utilized by CVS Long's and 17 of their pharmacies statewide.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency: 200 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose; 2,000 Americans suffer an overdose every day; and from 1999 to 2017, more than 700,000 people have died from a drug overdose.

In an effort to combat the opioid epidemic the focus will be on supporting healthcare providers and health systems, partnering with law enforcement, and encouraging consumers to make safe choices about opioids – and the devastation that comes with misuse.

This briefing will seek to accomplish these four goals:

● Examine the prescription drug take back program and the effectiveness of onsite destruction of such drugs.

● Understand the risks associated with diversion – the possibility of prescription drugs being returned and falling into the wrong hands.

● Review the Riverton, Utah Model of onsite destruction of prescription medications and drugs returned to various sites.

● Begin a discussion about Hawaiʻi’s need for a well-considered, thoughful transition to their current prescription drug take back program and a program that provides for both the safe take back and onsite destruction of such drugs.

Presentations include:

• State Department of Health (DOH)
• DOH – Behavioral Health Administration, Eddie Mersereau
• Mayor Trent Staggs, Riverton, Utah
• David Schiller former DEA Agent, Denver, Colorado
• State Attorney General's Office
• United State Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
• Honolulu Police Department
• CVS Pharmacy

At the conclusion of the presentations the Committees will reserve the final 10 minutes to highlight the top priorities relating to an efficient prescription drug take back and disposal program in Hawai'i and a plan of action which may contain bill proposals for the 2020 Legislative session, administrative action, and/or memorandum of agreements between departments to ensure consumer protection while navigating the opioid epidemic.

No public testimony will be accepted.