2017-03-06                     Senate Journal                      Page 0424
SB 79                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 79 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                                
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
      "An Act relating to the prescription of opioids; establishing                                                             
      the Voluntary Nonopioid Directive Act; relating to the                                                                    
      controlled substance prescription database; relating to the                                                               
      practice of dentistry; relating to the practice of medicine;                                                              
      relating to the practice of podiatry; relating to the practice of                                                         
      osteopathy; relating to the practice of nursing; relating to the                                                          
      practice of optometry; relating to the practice of veterinary                                                             
      medicine; related to the duties of the Board of Pharmacy;                                                                 
      and providing for an effective date."                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce,                                                                 
Health and Social Services and Finance Committees.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Corrections                                                                             
 Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Health and Social Services                                                              
 Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Commerce, Community and                                                                       
  Economic Development                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated March 3:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Kelly:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to monitoring of                                                                
prescriptions for opioids and relating to the controlled substance                                                              
prescription database.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Alaska is in the grip of an opioid epidemic. All Alaskans, regardless of                                                        
race, age, religion, or lifestyle are affected. Families are torn apart,                                                        
persons suffering with addiction are frustrated and unable to reach                                                             
their potential, crime has increased, and most significantly, lives are                                                         
lost to this tragic epidemic. Too often the path to opioid addiction is                                                         
through prescription medication. As a society, we must take steps to                                                            
reduce unnecessary exposure to these addictive drugs. Fortunately, we                                                           
have the tools to do that. By increasing awareness, education, and                                                              
monitoring, we can take meaningful steps to address the tragedy of                                                              
addiction.