Oklahoma Considers Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment Costs While Finalizing Budget

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin submitted the State of Oklahoma Fiscal Year 2016 Executive Budget to the Citizens of the Great State of Oklahoma, and the 2015 Oklahoma Legislature in February of 2015. In her introductory address to the above, she noted that the plan put forward for consideration was part of a long-term blueprint for improved quality of life in Oklahoma, including sustained economic growth and improved state services.

Three Priorities

Governor Fallin identified three areas in the 2016 Budget where Oklahoma lawmakers need to focus on improved outcomes:

• Increasing educational attainment.
• Reducing incarceration rates amongst non-violent offenders.
• Improving health.

In the priority area of health, it was noted that prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing Oklahoma drug problem. It was put forward that inappropriate drug use early identification can prevent harmful issues including:

• Patient doctor shopping.
• Drug addiction.

Accordingly, Governor Fallin expressed her support of legislation that would expand the use of Oklahoma’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) by healthcare providers when they are prescribing opiods.

The budget also reflects desired change in how non-violent offenders with substance abuse problems are dealt with in the criminal justice system by funding the “Smart on Crime” efforts that encourage evidence-based interventions addressing the offender’s needs, while at the same time keeping the community safe.

The “Smart on Crime” effort focuses on intervention for low-risk, non-violent offenders, more readily offering alternatives to incarceration such as drug courts and veterans courts. Fallin prioritized using proven strategies such as community supervision and specialized court programs to break the cycle of crime-incarceration-recidivism; and expanding these efforts.

Increases in Targeted Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2016

Reflecting her focus on the priorities of bringing about educational attainment, reduced incarceration and improved health for Oklahomans, Governor Fallin submitted the following increases in appropriations:

• $25 million for the State Department of Education.
• $16 million for the Department of Human Services.
• $5 million for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
• $20 million for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
• $15 million for the Department of Corrections.

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) is responsible for promoting healthy communities, and providing the highest quality care for the purpose of enhancing the wellbeing of Oklahomans.

The treatment of substance abuse and addiction falls under the governance and responsibility of ODMHSAS. It addresses the issues of substance abuse and addiction through:

• Outpatient substance abuse services.
• Residential substance abuse services.
• Drug courts.
• Systems of care.
• Gambling addiction services.

A prescription drug abuse-related goal for the upcoming Fiscal 2016 year is continuance and expansion of the statewide “Take As Prescribed” initiative. It includes media and public outreach; education information sharing; and training for medical and health professionals.

According to Legislative & Rx Abuse News, funding for substance abuse treatment is roughly $3,000 per person annually in comparison to a cost of 600-700 percent more per person in the criminal justice system; and encourages legislators not to cut treatment costs when considering ways to make cuts in the proposed 2016 Fiscal Budget.

Proponents of increased funding for prevention and treatment point out that focusing on the demand-side of substance abuse through prevention and treatment could get far better results in the long run than trying to solve the prescription drug abuse problem primarily by addressing the supply-side through law enforcement and restricting prescriptions.

In the interest of a better future for the State of Oklahoma and Oklahomans, it is a given that a workable and cost-effective approach to the prescription drug problem needs to found.