Rep. Schneider Introduces Legislation to Address Overprescribing of Opioids

DEERFIELD, IL — The deadly scourge of opioid addiction and abuse has continued to worsen throughout the United States. In Illinois alone, overdoses killed 1,835 people in 2015, the most recent year for which data are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The epidemic has been fueled not just by foreign cartels or ruthless street gangs, but by respected and well-compensated physicians who overprescribe opioid drugs. Since 1999, the amount of prescription opioids sold nationally has nearly quadrupled. Over the same period, opioid overdose deaths increased fourfold, according to the CDC.

In response, Rep. Brad Schneider (D, IL-10) introduced legislation Thursday aimed at reducing opioid overprescription and at improving the ability of doctors to detect and treat abuse with better education.

“Growing opioid abuse is ravaging our communities and overprescribing of this highly-addictive drug adds to the problem,” said Schneider.

The Opioid PACE Act—it stands for: "Preventing Abuse [through] Continuing Education"—mandates an extra 12 hours of continuing medical education every three years for all providers who treat patients with prescription opioids for pain management. The education program would focus on early detection of abuse, treatment guidelines and best practices.

“Ensuring our medical professionals are informed on the most up-to-date best practices will help our communities fighting back against this epidemic," Schneider said.

The proposed new law require doctors to finish the new educational requirements to renew their Drug Enforcement Agency license.

The full text of the legislation includes a $1 million annual appropriation until 2022 to develop educational programs for those who prescribe pain management drugs.

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