90% of NJ Residents Want More Information From Their Doctors About Potential Addictive Qualities of the Medications They Are Being Prescribed

TRENTON, N.J., March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The majority of New Jersey residents want the legislature to mandate that their doctor tell them if their prescription medicine is addictive and believe those conversations will reduce the number of individuals who become addicted to pain medications, according to a recent survey effort between Fairleigh Dickinson University's independent survey research center, PublicMind, and Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ). The findings were released at a press conference at the New Jersey State House in Trenton.

The study finds that 91% of New Jersey residents agree, the majority (78%) strongly agreeing, that physicians should be legally required to discuss the risk of developing either a physical or psychological dependency on the prescription pain medication with patients prior to prescribing it.  Individuals 35 to 59 - the cohort most likely to have been prescribed such a pain medication, are also the most likely to (82%) to strongly agree.

The study also finds that two-thirds (64%) believe that physicians discussing the potential of dependencies with patients will help reduce the number of individuals who ultimately become addicted to the pain medications, while only 30 percent say it will have no impact. "The public is clearly on the side of more rather than less information when a doctor prescribes a potentially addictive substance," said Krista Jenkins, director of Fairleigh Dickinson PublicMind and professor of political science.

"The abuse of legal painkilling medication has triggered resurgence in the abuse by young people of the illegal versions of these substances, specifically heroin, which costs less and delivers a stronger high. We're seeing a greater number of addictions to heroin as a result of prescription painkillers," explained Angelo M. Valente, Executive Director of PDFNJ.

"The rise in the use and abuse of prescription drugs and heroin has reached epidemic proportions in New Jersey, spreading the dangerous disease of addiction and taking the lives of its victims. We have a shared responsibility to take action and to protect our youth from succumbing to this disease," said Senator Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex.

"New Jersey residents understand the key conversation between patient and provider can be lifesaving," said Elaine Pozycki, Co-Chair of PDFNJ. She explained, "These conversations can help patients understand the risks associated with opiate based prescription drugs, as well as the need to be aware of signs and symptoms if a dependency begins. This conversation between a patient and the practitioner is the first line of defense."

"Mandated conversations between the doctor and patient can mean the difference between living a happy and healthy life and embarking on a long and sometimes deadly path of substance abuse," Pozycki explained.

"The abuse of prescription drugs is a serious public health problem in this country. It has become a precursor to opiate addiction and fueled the heroin epidemic," said Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that the prescribing of opioids by clinicians has increased threefold in the last 20 years.

"As primary care providers it is imperative for us to seek and implement firm and scientific guidelines to thwart this epidemic of prescription drug abuse," explained Dr. Shuvendu Sen, Associate Program Director, Raritan Bay Medical Center.

"Mandating discussion will go a long way in educating the public to the dangers associated with certain medications and empower patients to make better more informed choices when it comes to their healthcare," explained Thomas D. Allen Jr., CEO/President of Summit Behavioral Health.

"We must support and improve access to prevention, treatment, education and recovery efforts for parents and families from the very first point of contact, often times with a physician, so we can reverse the rapid trend of opiate-related addiction and deaths plaguing our state," Vitale continued. 

SOURCE Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey