{"id":29306,"date":"2018-02-08T05:55:17","date_gmt":"2018-02-08T11:55:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/?p=29306"},"modified":"2018-12-14T10:38:15","modified_gmt":"2018-12-14T16:38:15","slug":"experts-say-oklahomas-opioid-plan-does-little-to-expand-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/2018\/02\/08\/experts-say-oklahomas-opioid-plan-does-little-to-expand-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Experts Say Oklahoma\u2019s Opioid Plan Does Little to Expand Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_29307\"  class=\"wp-caption module image alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 620px;\"><a class=\"fancybox\" title=\"Janet Cizek, CEO of the Center for Therapeutic Interventions in Tulsa speaks to an employee. \" href=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/2-1-18CTI.jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29307\" src=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/2-1-18CTI-620x413.jpg\" alt=\"Janet Cizek, CEO of the Center for Therapeutic Interventions in Tulsa speaks to an employee. \" width=\"620\" height=\"413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/2-1-18CTI-620x413.jpg 620w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/2-1-18CTI-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/2-1-18CTI-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/2-1-18CTI-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/2-1-18CTI-1620x1080.jpg 1620w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/2-1-18CTI.jpg 1900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-media-credit\">Jackie Fortier \/ StateImpact Oklahoma<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Janet Cizek, CEO of the Center for Therapeutic Interventions in Tulsa speaks to an employee.<\/p>\n<\/div><p>Drug overdose deaths in Oklahoma increased 91 percent over the last decade and a half, prompting the state to form a task force charged with a daunting goal: Brainstorm a plan to guide the state out of an <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pewresearch.org\/fact-tank\/2017\/10\/26\/nearly-half-of-americans-have-a-family-member-or-close-friend-whos-been-addicted-to-drugs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">opioid epidemic<\/a> that kills three Oklahomans nearly every day.<\/p><p>The Commission on Opioid Abuse released its final report in January.<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com\/tracks\/396062181%3Fsecret_token%3Ds-LrYsz&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=true&show_comments=false&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=false&visual=false\" width=\"100%\" height=\"150\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p><p>\u201cThe sort of clear and present danger is overprescribing and oversupply, and that was the focus of what we looked at,\u201d Attorney General Mike Hunter, who headed the nine-member commission, said in an interview with StateImpact.<!--more--><\/p><p>The group of business leaders, physicians, law enforcement and mental health professionals zeroed in on limiting the supply of opioids, a class of drug that includes illegal heroin and powerful prescription painkillers like Oxycontin, Vicodin and fentanyl \u2014 a synthetic drug sold both through prescriptions and on the street.<\/p><p>\u201cOnce we rolled up our sleeves and began to hear testimony, we came up with 31 things that the state really needs to do,\u201d he said.<\/p><p>Oklahoma already has one of the best ways to combat overprescribing &#8211; a prescription monitoring program. It requires doctors to check the patient\u2019s name against a database to make sure the opioid prescription they are about to write is the patients only one. The database is integrated with 15 other states, with a goal of nationwide coverage.<\/p><p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pewtrusts.org\/en\/about\/experts\/cynthia-reilly\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cynthia Reilly<\/a> is the director of the substance use prevention and treatment initiative at Pew Charitable Trusts. She says most of Oklahoma\u2019s recommendations, coupled with the state\u2019s prescription monitoring program will probably work.<\/p><p>\u201cThe strategies here are what we are seeing across the country, in terms of the epidemic,\u201d she says. \u201cThey are multifaceted, which is good.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-documentcloud\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<div class=\"DC-embed DC-embed-document DV-container\">\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:129.42857142857142%;height:0;overflow:hidden;max-width:100%;\"> <iframe src=\"\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/4372067-Oklahoma-Commission-on-Opioid-Abuse-Final-Report.html?embed=true&responsive=false&sidebar=false\" title=\"Oklahoma Commission on Opioid Abuse Final Report (Hosted by DocumentCloud)\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-forms\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:1px solid #aaa;border-bottom:0;box-sizing:border-box;\"><\/iframe> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><p>Eight of the recommendations are addressed in bills now being considered by state lawmakers. Reilly says these ideas have worked in other states \u2014 including things like requiring electronic prescriptions so a paper version can\u2019t be forged, limiting opioid prescription amounts and creating a board to examine data from overdose deaths and look at how to prevent them.<\/p><p>\u201cBoards, like the one recommended by this task force, look at things like prescribing data and emergency room utilization, law enforcement activity and other data that can help the state identify trends, as well as hot spots where programs are needed,\u201d she says.<\/p><p>Most of Oklahoma\u2019s recommendations read like a wish list, with no follow-up plan. Compare that to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/news\/best-states\/west-virginia\/articles\/2018-02-05\/west-virginia-governor-takes-new-approach-to-opioid-epidemic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">West Virginia<\/a>, where Gov. Jim Justice announced a $10 million commitment, while <a href=\"http:\/\/www.timesfreepress.com\/news\/breakingnews\/story\/2018\/jan\/22\/haslam-unveils-plan\/461815\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tennessee<\/a> Gov. Bill Haslam\u2019s plan boasts about $30 million to combat the crisis. Both include one component that Oklahoma\u2019s report is lacking: treatment.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_29310\"  class=\"wp-caption module image alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 620px;\"><a class=\"fancybox\" title=\"The entrance to a therapy room at the Center for Therapeutic Interventions in Tulsa, one of the few treatment centers in the state that specializes in opioid addiction.\" href=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/grouptherapydoor.jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29310\" src=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/grouptherapydoor-620x411.jpg\" alt=\"The entrance to a therapy room at the Center for Therapeutic Interventions in Tulsa, one of the few treatment centers in the state that specializes in opioid addiction.\" width=\"620\" height=\"411\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/grouptherapydoor-620x411.jpg 620w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/grouptherapydoor-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/grouptherapydoor-150x99.jpg 150w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/grouptherapydoor-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/grouptherapydoor-1629x1080.jpg 1629w, https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/grouptherapydoor.jpg 1900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-media-credit\">Jackie Fortier \/ StateImpact Oklahoma<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">The entrance to a therapy room at the Center for Therapeutic Interventions in Tulsa, one of the few treatment centers in the state that specializes in opioid addiction.<\/p>\n<\/div><p><strong> Shift to treatment<\/strong><br \/>\nAcross the country there has been a shift in attitudes, especially from law enforcement, to a treatment-centered approach. Oklahoma is no different. Representatives from almost every agency that deals with the opioid crisis told StateImpact the state needs greater access to treatment, both residential and outpatient.<\/p><p>Attorney General Hunter says the commission recognized that funding for treatment centers is key.<\/p><p>\u201cWe are proposing a 10 percent tax on those who distribute, or manufacture opioids. The estimate is that will generate between $14 and $17 million annually,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s about half of what we need, but I would say that is sufficient to prime the pump for more access to treatment centers.\u201d<\/p><p>Taxing opioid manufacturers and distributors isn\u2019t a new idea; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.astho.org\/StatePublicHealth\/State-Legislatures-Explore-Taxing-Prescription-Opioids-to-Raise-Revenue-for-Prevention-and-Treatment\/3-23-17\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bills<\/a> have been introduced as far back as 2015 in seven states. None of them have passed. Even if the tax does survive the Oklahoma Legislature\u2019s considerable hurdles to enacting new taxes and becomes law, the opioid tax is expected to be challenged in court by pharmaceutical companies, likely delaying any potential revenue payout for years.<\/p><p>\u201cOur position is you have to start somewhere, and having a proposal in which there is no effort to find new revenue is just irresponsible,\u201d Hunter said.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_29312\"  class=\"wp-caption module image alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 620px;\"><a class=\"fancybox\" title=\"Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter headed the nine member commission. \" href=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/Hunter.jpg\" rel=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-large wp-image-29312\" src=\"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/files\/2018\/02\/Hunter-620x379.jpg\" alt=\"Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter headed the nine member commission. \" width=\"620\" height=\"379\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-media-credit\">Jackie Fortier \/ StateImpact Oklahoma<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter headed the nine member commission.<\/p>\n<\/div><p><strong> Funding for an epidemic<\/strong><br \/>\nThe lack of state funding for treatment doesn\u2019t sit well with Janet Cizek, CEO of the <a href=\"http:\/\/ctioklahoma.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Center for Therapeutic Interventions<\/a> in Tulsa, one of the few treatment centers in the state that specializes in opioids. The center uses a mix of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/medication-assisted-treatment\/treatment#medications-used-in-mat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">outpatient counseling and medication<\/a>.<\/p><p>\u201cI think we need to have a short term and a long-term plan for funding,\u201d she says. \u201c These recommendations may be a little too little, too late.\u201d<\/p><p>The most effective means to prevent opioid addiction can start as early as preschool, says Cizek, who\u2019s disappointed in the lack of urgency in the task force\u2019s recommendations. She hopes the report will remind lawmakers that chronic underfunding of the state\u2019s agencies, like the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services equals less treatment for Oklahomans with addictions.<\/p><p>On a federal level, steep cuts have been proposed for Medicaid, the largest single insurance program covering opioid addiction treatment, which will further impede access to substance abuse treatment.<\/p><p>\u201cI wish that addiction treatment was as easy to access as pills, as heroin,\u201d she says.<\/p><p>Funding for opioid treatment isn\u2019t abstract for Cizek: Her center is a contractor for the state mental health agency.<\/p><p>\u201cWe have no assurance of May and June of this year that there will be funding for treatment,\u201d she says. \u201cI don\u2019t know if any of my contracts have funding come May 1 \u2014 And we have an epidemic.\u201d<\/p><p>Tucked in the commission\u2019s report is a stark nugget of data: Only 10 percent of Oklahomans who need treatment right now are getting it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Drug overdose deaths in Oklahoma increased 91 percent over the last decade and a half, prompting the state to form a task force charged with a daunting goal: Brainstorm a plan to guide the state out of an opioid epidemic that kills three Oklahomans nearly every day.The Commission on Opioid Abuse released its final report [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":199,"featured_media":29307,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[23],"tags":[766,720,765],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29306"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/199"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29306"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29306\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29335,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29306\/revisions\/29335"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/oklahoma\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}