Newtown's State Rep. J.P. Sredzinski Praises Bill Addressing Overprescribing of Opioids

Written by Sarah Finlaw, Press Secretary, House Republican Office

NEWTOWN, CT-- State Representative (R-112) applauded the Public Health Committee’s unanimous vote to advance legislation that aims to combat the state’s opioid addiction crisis.

Senate Bill 352, An Act Concerning Prescriptions for and the Dispensing of Opioid Antagonists and Opioid Drugs, received bipartisan support from committee members and was unanimously voted out of the Public Health Committee Monday afternoon.

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The bill limits opioid prescriptions to a seven-day supply for adult patients who are taking opioids for the first time. Subsequent refills could be obtained at the discretion of the physician if the patient has persistent pain. Exceptions are also outlined in the bill for those who suffer from chronic pain, cancer-associated pain, or for palliative care.

Under the bill, medical practitioners cannot prescribe more than a seven-day supply for a minor and they must discuss the necessity of the medication and the associated risks with the minor’s parent or guardian.

“This bill is an important step by the legislature in the fight against opioid addiction in our state,” said Rep. Sredzinski. “I’ve heard time and time again, many individuals become addicted to opioids after they or a family member or friend are prescribed the medication and then they end up experimenting with the excess medication down the line. By imposing a tighter limit on the number of opioids a person can receive in one prescription, we are cutting down on the number of excess drugs that are out there and available for potential abuse.”

Rep. Sredzinski, along with other regional legislators, state and local officials, and medical professionals, hosted a community forum attended by over 200 people on March 3rd in Shelton in an attempt to spark further discussion on opioid addiction and what the state can do to further address the crisis.

Prior to the start of the legislative session, Sredzinski also sent several letters to leaders of the Public Health Committee asking them to raise various bills addressing opioid addiction, including allowing pharmacies to collect unused opioids.

Senate Bill 352 will now be debated by the House of Representatives and Senate. It will need to be passed out by a majority of both chambers before it heads to the governor’s desk for his signature. This session of the General Assembly adjourns on May 4th at midnight.