Tuesday, December 12, 2017

State Health Officer warns of "unintended consequences"

The State Health Officer warned the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure that the proposed drastic changes to opioid prescription regulations will cause opioid deaths to rise even further.  Dr. Marry Currier spoke her concerns to the Board at a November 15 hearing that was held to discuss the new regulations. The Board proposed several amendments to Regulation 2640 that will substantially change how opioids are prescribed.  The amendments have not yet been adopted. A link to them is posted below.




Mississippi has a high prescription rate compared to the rest of the country but actually has a low death rate as well "although I know it doesn't seem like that every day."   She expressed her concern about the proposed rules creating "unintended consequences."  "There is a large group of people who are already addicted," she said.  Dr. Currier said over 200,000 Mississippians had opioid prescriptions that were over 30 days.

Dr. Currier is worried that suddenly cutting off the prescriptions to opioid addicts will cause opioid deaths to skyrocket as many will get more deadly drugs from the street.  "We will also have more HIV and Hepatitis C out the wazoo," she said.

She pointed out to the medical board that opioid deaths have risen nationwide as opioid prescriptions have been reduced.  Dr. Currier predicted that cutting off opioid addicts in Mississippi without a plan for their treatment will cause more opioid deaths.


Earlier posts
Mississippi doctors on proposed opioid regs: "dangerous", "Ill-conceived", "idiots" 
How much pain will proposed opioid regs create for doctors?  (Copy of proposed regs)
Can medical weed fight opioids?  
Opioids prescription: Mo' taxes, mo' spending, mo' jail (Governor's Task Force report)


36 comments:

Rick Parry said...

Ooops!

Mission Accomplished!

Anonymous said...

Since the last war on drugs went so well I’m sure the new one forged by legislators against the medical profession will work just fine. As in “let’s create a new black market”

Yeah I want Philip Gunn telling my doctor how to treat my pain.

Anonymous said...

Bring back the bumper stickers that said “Just Say No”. And then the surgeons can hand them out to patients on their way out of the hospital. Probably solved.

Anonymous said...

"HIV out the wazoo"? Is this woman suggesting that HIV and AIDS are somehow associated with opiod prescriptions?

I don't get the connection. But, it's typically 'the wazoo' that's associated with HIV.

Kingfish said...

Would you write "this man" if the SHO was a man?

Read her letter I posted. Both pages.

Anonymous said...

still confused...is this in affect yet? I want to cancel my surgery and go to La for it if it is.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I would. But I probably would have asked, "Is this guy suggesting..." Has nothing to do with gender. Hunt another rabbit.

I read the letter, both pages, especially the part you hilited in yellow. Still I see no association with people who have been prescribed opioids for years and the increase in HIV. Perhaps you will explain. Thanks.

Of course we can all invent or imagine some vague correlation out there somewhere in the universe. Theories are a dime a dozen. I remember when some suggested the advent of automobile tail-fins would cause an immediate increase in highway deaths due to speeding and reckless driving.

Kingfish said...

They are going to be going to the streets for drugs. Not all of the street drugs will be consumed in pill form. Think about it. Needles....

Anonymous said...

Geeze people are dense. How can you not correlate no opiods = increased heroin use = infectious diseases from needles.

Anonymous said...

1:05 - I'm guessing at least one half of all speculative correlations, such as the one you draw, turn out to be imaginary. Booger-Bears are everywhere. You're the kind of guy who postulates if we stay home from church that will result in a sudden decrease in Sunday home burglaries. And while I won't call you dense, I will suggest you're hyperventilating.

Anonymous said...

Serious question here, by the way. What's the worst possible outcome if somebody is popping a couple of Hydrocodones every day for six years? Is it worse than swinging by the bar or club every afternoon for five drinks?

Anonymous said...

The first problem is calling it opioid abuse so that we don’t offend people that are abusing pain killers. Opiods sound like something snuck in from China. Too many average Joes don’t even know what this problem really is. Abuse of prescription painkillers and sleep aids. And it’s an epidemic.

Anonymous said...

I'm confused. Is the State Health Officer encouraging Doctors to continue to prescribe "huge doses" of opiods to those who are addicted? This seems kind of odd to me.

Anonymous said...

This was not a problem prior to 1995. Cut off the flow of excessive opiates, and you will solve the problem. There will always be casualties....the sooner this is done the less number of overall casualties over the long run. The Docs are just trying a short term political fix to keep the cash rolling in.

Anonymous said...

@1:15. Missed the mark on that one bigly, buddy. I was simply explaining what Dr. Currier meant since so many here were unable to break it down. Explaining isn't endorsing.

PS, I go to church and wasn't breathing hard. Next time don't get so upset you were too stupid to figure something out.

Anonymous said...

12:54, just to reiterate: People who are addicted to prescription opioids (e.g. hydrocodone pills you get from your pharmacy) will not suddenly become “unaddicted” to opioids when they are no longer given prescriptions by their doctor and they can’t get the pills. Make no mistake, the medical community has very much helped fuel the crisis by “creating” ,whether intentional or not, a large number of opioid addicts. Some, not all, of this stems from a period of time years ago in which the manufacturers of prescription opioids (big pharma companies trying to make money) misled doctors and patients with bogus research, sales pitches, etc. saying opioid pills were not addictive (this is the basis of AGs suing pharma companies over opioids). Nonetheless, these opioid addicts will either need treatment or will turn to other sources to feed their opioid addiction when their prescriptions are cut off. Heroin is an illegal opioid. A lot of opium poppy, from which heroin is derived, is grown in Mexico and the heroin is trafficked by young Mexicans who very much understand the market for illegal opioids, i.e. they know there are people in the U.S. that want pills but can’t get them or want an easier, cheaper route (no doctor shopping, doctor visits, prescription filling, etc.) The traffickers don’t generally use the stuff themselves, they just want the money to support their families and lifestyle back home. (You’ve probably heard the president talk about the amount of illegal drugs pouring into the U.S. over the Mexican border). Heroin is what he’s talking about. Black tar heroin is a cheap alternative to prescription opioids but it must be injected with hypodermic needles, hence the increase in HIV and Hep C. The traffickers generally have a convenient, non-violent, non-confrontational approach and target middle class communities across the country not just places like New York or Miami like in the 80’s cocaine heyday. That’s why places like central Ohio have had enormous increases in overdose deaths. Obviously there are exceptions to any of these generalities but this is the basis of the “opioid crisis.”

Kingfish said...

Rack 'im.

Anonymous said...

Boomroasted

Anonymous said...

2:31 ☝🏽, he gets it. Finally some common sense approach to this shit sandwich.

Anonymous said...

How many times do we have to go through this before we learn? They might as well call this the “Turnover Opiod Sales to Organized Crime” regulation. Pretty soon, we are going turn over the sale of anything that might could be misused (food, cigarettes, credit, guns, knives,etc.) to an organized crime monopoly. No way people are this stupid. They must have some financial motivation.

Anonymous said...

I've seen a half dozen young college age men with glorious futures put a bullet through their heads, a rope around their necks, or just plain die on the couch due to opioids abuse. I've seen friends and family go in the hospital for knee surgery only to wind up in a treatment facility a year later. If they are lucky enough to live through the addiction and treatment, they will spend the rest of their lives fighting this addiction. For these people disagreeing with change towards finding a solution, I can only say they are in denial.

Anonymous said...

1:18 there are people who do both everyday. They come from all walks of life.

Anonymous said...

Again, the question: What's the worst possible outcome if somebody is popping a couple of Hydrocodones every day for six years? Is it worse than swinging by the bar or club every afternoon for five drinks? Why is that so hard to answer?

Anonymous said...

7:01 try that and see how it works out for you. I am 6:38.

Anonymous said...

Why regulate something that's bothering nobody and is providing relief to folks in one way or another? These pills cost a nickle apiece, copay, when prescribed, provide pain relief and an accompanying high for three hours and then wear off. Where's the damage?

Anonymous said...

This is another lame excuse for Dr. Randy Easterling to get more patients in his clinic where he treats them with suboxone in his clinic in Vicksburg. There are only about four doctors in Mississippi that use this. He's connected to the Hattiesburg rehab clinic. No wonder he wants to limit opioids. Thanks God he got beat for the House seat in Vicksburg. He needs to stay away from the Capitol. He is not wanted! What a quack!

Anonymous said...

7:01 "Again, the question: What's the worst possible outcome if somebody is popping a couple of Hydrocodones every day for six years? Is it worse than swinging by the bar or club every afternoon for five drinks? Why is that so hard to answer?"

5:54 "Why regulate something that's bothering nobody and is providing relief to folks in one way or another? These pills cost a nickle apiece, copay, when prescribed, provide pain relief and an accompanying high for three hours and then wear off. Where's the damage?"

The problem is that for someone who is addicted, after a while "a couple of hydrocodones" will not do the job and they will need more and/or stronger substances. To get said substances, they will do what they have to do, and/or keep adding other substances in the hopes of maintaining. There is your damage. Without documentation of a medical reason/necessity, providers can't just keep upping the dose. And there are those who simply get their scripts and turn around and sell them on the street - yes it DOES happen. The "black market" someone mentioned? It's been around for a a long time.

And just FYI - These are PROPOSED REGULATIONS, they have NOT been enacted and will be revised, probably more than once, before they are final.

And as far as the docs writing for 7 days only, etc. - that came from the insurance companies, such as BCBS - that idea did NOT originate with the MSBML........


Anonymous said...

medical board meeting Friday to decide if we can have meds after surgery. Pretty sure they will “just say no.”

Anonymous said...

"Rack 'im" (sic) is a lame-assed comment. But, carry on.

Anonymous said...

Why has there been no mention of lower opioid deaths in legal marijuana states? It's like the stone age here, no pun intended.

Anonymous said...

Oh, but 12:00 a.m.....Studies show that traffic accidents have increased in states like Colorado, specifically the Denver Metro. So all these dot connectors and predictors of future events can easily shoot down your question by pointing out the imaginary shift from opioid deaths to traffic accident deaths.

Wonder why the word opioid is not even recognized as a legitimate word by these spelling programs. When I click on the error it tells me I should use the word opined.

Anonymous said...

it takes about 6 weeks to really detox off of Hydrocodone, you go through complete agony the first 5 days and depression for about 4 months. Then you slowly learn how to sleep again and enjoy life all the time your dealing with tremendous pain because you cant take the little yellow pill that stopped all the compressed dic pain. You start taking so many Motrin that if you scratch yourself you will bleed to death. It is so great to live in the year 2017.

Anonymous said...

It took me around 6 months to completely detox from Hydrocodone, I went through agony the first 5 days and depression to the point I contemplated killing myself. After about 5 months I started learning to enjoy things again. I have herniated disc from a car wreck and now only take motrin for the pain. I dream at night of the little yellow pills that allowed me to go to work, enjoy hobbies and be pain free. It concerns me that in the year 2017 I have to suffer when such great meds are available. I was only taking three a day and never abused them or dr. Shopped. I have watched my family members whole personality change after taking suboxone and swore I want go down that road.

Anonymous said...

People seem to forget. If you do not take so much of any drug you would not have to detox. It isn't the fault of anyone else if you take enough to need detoxing. It is your fault. Plain and simple.

Anonymous said...

Still no reasonable answer to the question of 'where's the harm'. It's wholly disingenuous to suggest that the reason for all of this is that if we don't deny people their Hydro scrips, they will eventually advance to heroin and will one day soon blast off into outer-space and be bouncing forever off the walls of society. In short....Bull Shit.

Anonymous said...

6:00 You get an A for persistence. Sticking to the original question of the “worst possible outcome,” first for the alcohol part, 5 drinks per day on a daily basis puts you in the category of a “heavy drinker” based on numerous health guidelines as more than 2 drinks per day or 14 drinks per week for men is considered heavy drinking. 5 drinks in one session, usually 2 hours or less, is also defined as “binge drinking”. If you are a female the numbers are less. So the short of it is if you are drinking this at the bar on a daily basis, the “worst possible outcome” is development of an alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) and/or premature death due to related health problems such as liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, cancer, etc., all secondary to defined excessive alcohol use.

As to “popping 2 hydrocodones” everyday, if you are doing this under the guidance of your doctor for defined medical reasons then your question is between you and him/her. If you are doing this “recreationally” ,without a prescription, for the mental effect or “high” you are doing so illegally for one thing and could suffer related legal problems if caught. The “worst possible outcome” would be the 2 pills lose their effectiveness and you need 4, then 6, and on and on to achieve the desired effect. Sometimes the addition of one more pill than usual can lead to an overdose death. You may also find it harder to obtain the pills, you would be using 730 pills a year at 2 a day. If you are addicted you may pursue other means and die of a heroin overdose. You may not think this could happen to you but there would be no opioid death epidemic if it weren’t happening.

I’m not a doctor and this is not medical advice but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night



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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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