Through our articles, resources and multiple communications CMS offers ongoing educational services to its members and their practices.
Prescription drug abuse and misuse is serious problem in Colorado and around the United States. In 2010, more than 38,000 people died from a drug overdose in the United States – one every 14 minutes. Nearly 60 percent of those deaths involved prescription drugs and, of those, 75 percent were opioid painkillers. In Colorado, the number of drug overdose deaths range from 250-500 per year; in 2010 it was just over 300.
The rates of misuse and overdose death cut across all demographics, though they’re highest among men, persons ages 20-64, non-Hispanic whites, and those in poor and rural areas.
A small percentage of providers prescribe the majority of controlled substances but providers who do prescribe these medications frequently inherently see more higher-risk patients and are more likely to have patients who are doctor shopping for opioids.
Colorado is working to develop a coordinated response among the many stakeholders. Colorado Medical Society leaders actively participate in the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention and support the Colorado Board of Pharmacy’s efforts to enhance the Colorado Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) system.
Check back often for more resources related to physicians and prescription drug abuse, misuse and prevention.
Saturday, September 01, 2018
Prescription drug abuse
Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention hosts education symposium on Oct. 24
Sunday, July 01, 2018
The final word: Working together to make a difference in the opioid epidemic
Sunday, July 01, 2018
Prescribing boards release revised guidelines for prescribing and dispensing opioids
Sunday, July 01, 2018
Harm reduction philosophy reduces negative consequences of drug use
Sunday, July 01, 2018
Case study: Swedish Medical Center is reducing opioid use in the emergency department
Sunday, July 01, 2018
The opioid epidemic: Surgeon to surgeon
Sunday, July 01, 2018
An evidence-based answer to the opioid crisis
Sunday, July 01, 2018
Changing the practice of prescribing for pain: One physician at a time
Q&A with Shannon Jantz, MD, Colorado Permanente Medical Group
Sunday, July 01, 2018
Recent trends
New AMA report shows 21 percent decrease in opioid prescriptions in Colorado, other physician-led advances
Sunday, July 01, 2018
Cover: The opioid crisis
What physicians need to know to be in compliance with new laws
Thursday, May 31, 2018
AMA report shows national progress toward reversing opioid epidemic, with great strides in Colorado
Organization urges further policy changes to remove barriers to care for pain and substance use disorders
Monday, May 21, 2018
Bill creating seven-day opioid prescription limit for acute pain signed into law May 21
Learn what you need to know to stay compliant with new law