SR429.html

Creating the Senate Study Committee on Prescription Drug Addiction; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, approximately 8 million people have been afflicted or affected by prescription drug addiction, misuse, or abuse; and

WHEREAS, 125,000 die each year from the abuse of prescribed medicines and over-the-counter medicines; and

WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the extent of the abuse of prescription drugs is second only to cocaine usage; and

WHEREAS, over 3 billion retail prescriptions were dispensed in 1999, an average of 4 million prescriptions written per day; and

WHEREAS, since 1990, sales of nonprescription medicines have increased by more than 60 percent; and

WHEREAS, as reported by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, prescription drug abuse is prevalent among older adults and is a threat to the well-being of our youth; and

WHEREAS, the abuse and misuse of prescription drugs in the workplace are common and often overlooked as a source of workplace problems; and

WHEREAS, until recently, law enforcement agencies, health care professionals, public officials, and the general public have placed little emphasis on this "closet disease"; and

WHEREAS, a comprehensive study of the issues and facts relating to prescription drug addiction in the State of Georgia is needed to protect the health of the state´s citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate Study Committee on Prescription Drug Addiction to be composed of three members to be appointed by the President of the Senate who shall designate one member as chairperson. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any actions or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances authorized for legislative members of interim legislative committees but shall receive the same for not more than five days unless additional days are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the Senate. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 1, 2001. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2001.