Mayor Slay Signs Bill Establishing Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in the City of St. Louis

Update: May 31, 2016, 5 PM

ST. LOUIS -- Mayor Francis Slay signed Board Bill 36 into law, establishing a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) within the City of St. Louis. The bill allows the City and St. Louis County, which recently enacted a PDMP ordinance there, to immediately work together to form a cohesive system.

This local action follows the inaction by the Missouri State Legislature to establish a statewide database to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances. Missouri remains the only state in the country without a PDMP.

Prescription drug abuse is one of the fastest growing drug problems in the United States and has been classified as an epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). PDMPs are supported by the CDC as an effective tool to combat the nation's opioid abuse epidemic by mandating states monitor prescriptions of painkillers and track patients who overuse or abuse such drugs. According to the CDC, that abuse often escalates into heroin use, which is cheaper and easier to get.

"Make no mistake, our Prescription Drug Monitoring Program would be stronger if it were statewide, but we are happy to take the lead on this important effort," Mayor Slay said. "I want to thank Alderman Lyda Krewson, who sponsored this bill, and Alderman Cara Spencer, who cosponsored it. Together with St. Louis County, we are united in helping to combat the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic."

"Quite simply, the drug monitoring programs that the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County have established will save lives," County Executive Steve Stenger said. "We look forward to working together on this important step to protect the public's health and safety."

The National Council on Alcoholism &Drug Abuse (NCADA) hosted Mayor Slay and community partners for today's bill signing.

"Establishing a local PDMP for the City and County is an enormous victory for anyone concerned about public health," NCADA Executive Director Howard Weissman said. "This is welcome news for doctors and pharmacists, and it will improve their ability to care for patients in pain. This also is a victory for the residents of our region—City and County—because it will make St. Louis a safer, healthier place to live."

The City and County Health Departments expect to have the database up and running by the end of the year. It also will have the capacity to expand to include other interested counties.

Original Posting: May 31, 2016, 9 AM

WHAT

Mayor Francis Slay will sign Board Bill 36 into law, establishing a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) within the City of St. Louis. The bill will allow the City and St. Louis County, which recently enacted a PDMP ordinance there, to work together to form a cohesive system. This local action follows the inaction by the Missouri State Legislature to establish a statewide database to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of Schedule II,III, and IV controlled substances.Missouri remains the only state in the country without a PDMP.

Prescription drug abuse is one of the fasted growing drug problems in the United States and has been classified as an epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).PDMPs are supported by the CDC as an effective tool to combat the nation's opioid abuse epidemic by mandating states monitor prescriptions of painkillers and track patients who overuse or abuse such drugs.

According to the CDC, that abuse often escalates into heroin use, which is cheaper and easier to get.

WHO

• Mayor Francis Slay
• CountyExecutive Steve Stenger
• State Rep. Holly Rehder, (R) District 148
• Alderman Lyda Krewson, City ofSt. Louis28^thWard
• Alderman Cara Spencer, City of St. Louis20^th Ward
• Melba Moore, Director, St. Louis Department of Health
• Howard Weissman, Executive Director, NCADA
• Chad Sabora,Missouri Network for Opiate Reform & Recovery

WHEN

10:30 a.m.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

WHERE

National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse (NCADA)

9355 Olive Blvd.

St. Louis,MO63132