Medford, Ore. — Oregon ranks fourth in the nation for non-medical use of prescription pain relievers. A roundtable discussion hosted by Congressman Greg Walden in Medford Wednesday put the growing issue in the spotlight.
The congressman was joined by doctors, law enforcement and families impacted by drug addiction to discuss what can be done to combat the problem.
“We need to reeducate the public, reeducate patients,” Dr. Jim Shames, Medical Director at Jackson County Health & Human Services says, “physicians need to learn what the current best practices are and I think when we put all those pieces together we’ll be safer.”
The House Energy and Commerce Committee, which Walden is a member of, recently approved a series of bills focused on improving drug treatment and recovery programs. It now goes on to the House for a vote.
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