The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) just announced its new domestic drug control strategy. The policy puts the spotlight on the issue of abuse of prescription medicine in addition to illegal drug use. Heres a link to AP story http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5giCZp-qLVI65utd3SaaCyhkiEE1AD9FKS7EG0. Although chronic pain is the number-one cause of adult disability in the U.S. and the most common reason Americans access the healthcare system, many physicians dont prescribe opioids fearing abuse and dependency, reducing patients access to pain control. Innovative solutions by communities, leaders and industry that include access to emerging therapies that can also help prevent abuse and misuse are critical to addressing this public health issue. www.painfoundation.org

Memorial Sloan-Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center psychologist Dr. Steven Passik, PhD will provide perspective on the domestic issue of prescription drug abuse and the strategies needed to tackle this crisis.

Fast Facts:

On average approximately 11.4 million persons (4.8%) aged 12 years or older have indicated nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers annually

Each year, drug abuse and addiction cost U.S. taxpayers nearly $534 billion in preventable health care, law enforcement, crime, and other costs

The number of people abusing prescription medications nearly doubled between 1992 and 2003[i]
Pain relievers are responsible for 75% of all prescription abuse

In the past year, rates of nonmedical use of pain relievers are higher than rates of use for most illicit drugs

The new national drug policy is be a big step in tackling the prescription drug abuse crisis. Please note that we are working on behalf of King Pharmaceuticals, a responsible pain management company, however the interview will be unbranded.

About Dr. Steven D. Passik, PhD

Dr. Steven Passik, PhD, is an Associate Attending Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York.

Dr. Passicks areas of expertise are the general psychological aspects of cancer including palliative care, and symptom management with an emphasis on pain, depression, nausea, and fatigue. Dr. Passik also serves as the psychological liaison to the Pain and Palliative Care Service as well as the Colorectal Disease Management Teams.

Dr. Passick leads the symptom studies and pharmacotherapy laboratory which conducts and examines symptom assessment studies, aimed at enhancing quality of life and relieving suffering of patients. Research interests include examining pain medication usage among cancer patients; assessing abnormal drug usage among cancer and HIV+ patients; and developing psychosocial interventions for cancer patients.

Dr. Passick is a member of the American Psychological Association, International Psycho-Oncology Society, and American Society of Psychiatric Oncology/AIDS. He has also written extensively on the interface of pain management and addiction.

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