Inland Empire Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative 3.3.16

March 3, 2016

 

Hospital Association of Southern California

Inland Region

3993 Jurupa Avenue, Suite 105

Riverside, CA   92506

 

Re: Inland Empire Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative

 

On behalf of Inland Action, this letter is to indicate support for the Inland Empire Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative. Inland Action is a non-profit organization of business and community leaders dedicated to the economic and community betterment of the Southern California region.

 

Recreational drug use with opioids is on the rise as are drug overdose deaths in California. Recent research shows that high school students are reporting non-medical use of prescription pain medications at an alarming rate, and prescriptions for opioids written by Emergency Departments account for a significant percentage of the opioids redirected for non‑medical use.

 

Understanding the pervasiveness of opioid abuse, we wish to be acknowledged as a health care community partner in this effort. We endorse the creation and implementation of the Safe Opioid Prescribing Toolkit to promote safe, effective, and ethical pain management in Emergency Departments and in every health care setting.

 

Given the success of similar programs in neighboring counties, we are hopeful that this initiative will prove to be successful in reducing prescription medication abuse in the Inland Empire. Further, this community collaborative can be used as a model in other counties.  Should you have questions regarding this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me at 909 223‑7831.

 

 

Sincerely,

Deborah Barmack

President