Bono Mack Engages in War Against Pain Killer Abuse

Murrieta's Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, issued a statement Tuesday after the Obama Administration released a new plan to address the nation’s rapidly growing prescription drug abuse epidemic.

“Tens of thousands of people are dying every year from prescription drug overdoses and abuse, yet we have failed to take the necessary steps to combat the fastest growing drug problem facing the American people. This is unacceptable and we must do better," Bono Mack said.

"I will continue to demand that the DEA and FDA take action to reduce the amount of Oxycontin and all other Oxycodone prescription drugs that are available on the street; and I will not stop until the millions of vulnerable people, especially our youth, are protected from this grave and growing danger.”

Bono Mack, the Chairman of the subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, convened a hearing last week taking aim at the rapidly growing problem of prescription drug diversion, said Cort Bush, spokesperson for Bono Mack's office, in a news release.

Several key personnel testified at a hearing held last week to begin addressing the problem, including Director of the Office of National Drug Control, Gil Kerlikowske, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Michele Leonhart, Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Kentrucky Gov. Steve Beshear. Victims, family members and substance abuse experts also spoke during the hearing, which closely examined federal oversight failings.

Bono Mack has introduced bipartisan legislation that addresses this growing problem, Bush said in a news release.

The Stop Oxy Abuse Act of 2011 (H.R. 1316) would revise U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifications to ensure that these drugs are prescribed only for their intended use, severe pain. 

Bono Mack's office stated that an alarming recent report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows a 400 percent increase in admissions of people aged 12 years and older for treatment of prescription drug abuse between 1998 and 2010. The report also found that this increase was especially pronounced among young Americans aged 18 to 24 and affects families regardless of socio-economic, geographic, ethnic or educational status.

In another disturbing report, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has found that nearly 1 in 20 high school seniors have reported abuse of OxyContin, Bush said.

See more information on the legislation here.