Slow-Release Safety Opioids Will Solve Abuse Problem At A Stroke

Today's post from wlky.com (see link below) makes you wonder why these abuse-deterrent opioids aren't already available everywhere and why they aren't mandatory!! This isn't news...these slow-release drugs have been available for years; so what's the hold-up? Speaking on behalf of all those neuropathy patients who have tried everything else to curb their symptoms and have been forced to take opioids as the only way to ensure some sort of normal life; there wouldn't be a so-called opioid epidemic if the opioids themselves were 'slow-release' and thus impossible to snort or crush or whatever else the junkies do. That said, genuine patients don't need anything more than what they currently take because they're responsible adults who take control of their medication, with advice and control from their doctors. However, their drugs are being denied to them because of; a) an irresponsible and often criminal few; b) drugs companies who don't want to spend money on creating new forms of the same drug and c) a media who lusts after sensation and blows the problem out of all proportion. If the answer is 'abuse-deterrent' pills than get the hell on with it...we don't mind...but stop restricting what for us is essential because you may tackle a much wider criminality in the world of drug abuse. Sledge hammer!...nut much!!
 

Abuse-deterrent opioids aim to curb epidemic 
UPDATED 6:53 PM EDT Apr 13, 2016
 
Show Transcript 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —As Kentucky continues to battle a drug epidemic, doctors are finding innovative ways to treat addiction, by prescribing uniquely designed abuse-deterrent opioids (ADOs).

"We stock a few of them here. We work a lot with our pain management clinic, to keep on hand what we need," said Norton pharmacist Kassandra Fernsler.

ADOs are specifically designed to be taken only as directed. The pills have physical and chemical barriers that make them tough to crush or tamper with, making it difficult for someone to snort, inject or smoke the drug. If manipulated, the drug's effectiveness significantly diminishes.

Advocates, including emergency room physician Robert Couch, said the reformulated versions of hydrocodone, oxycodone or morphine can help a patient who has a legitimate need for pain relief, but may have a history of abuse.

Recovering addict at The Healing Place in Louisville, Jack, became addicted to painkillers after back surgery in 2012. He said while ADOs sound like a step in the right direction, he's not sure they would have helped him during his darkest moments.

"Where there's a will, there's a way, there's always different tricks to get around stuff like that, it all goes back to dealing with the mental state the person is going through," he said.

"I don't think it's a bad thing to have these tamper proof medications or deterrents to abusing them, I just think that can't be the only solution," said The Healing Place program services director Heather Gibson.

Currently most insurance companies do not cover abuse-deterrent opioids, but House Bill 330 in Kentucky's Legislature aims to change that.

Kentucky has the third highest rate of overdose deaths in the country. And in Jefferson county, more people die from overdoses than any other part of the state.

http://www.wlky.com/news/abusedeterrent-opioids-aim-to-curb-epidemic/39009976