Drug Information Resources

• NIDA – National Institute on Drug Abuse Web Site at www.drugabuse.gov/nidamed provides numerous resources for medical and health professionals. In addition, in collaboration with the American Medical Association, NIDA has established several Centers of Excellence for Physician Information. NIDA's mission is to lead the nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. This charge has two critical components: 1) strategic support and conduct of research across a broad range of disciplines; and 2) ensuring the rapid and effective dissemination and use of the results of that research to significantly improve prevention, treatment and policy as it relates to drug abuse and addiction.

• MN Board of Medical Practice Web Site at www.bmp.state.mn.us has a number of excellent resources relating to pain management and the prescribing of opioids under the link for “Pain Management”. In addition, the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (BMP), the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy, and the Minnesota Board of Nursing have issued a joint statement emphasizing the need to use these drugs in appropriate circumstances while taking steps to avoid abuse and diversion. This “Joint Pain Management Policy” is also found on the link for “Pain Management” on the BMP web site.

• The Federation of State Medical Boards Web Site at www.fsmb.org provides a model policy, (adopted by many states), on regulating the use of controlled substances. The policy emphasizes both the need to achieve adequate pain control and the need for physicians to periodically monitor patients to prevent abuse (FSMB, 2004). This model policy is found at www.fsmb.org/grpol_policydocs.html#2004

• AWARxE Web Site at www.awarerx.org - AWARxE is a public awareness campaign with a mission to provide individuals with the information they need to enable them to make the right decisions about prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. AWARxE is a call to action as medications can provide great health benefits when used as the doctor ordered, but there are big risks when they are abused or not taken as directed. The 2009 AWARxE Media Campaign Focus: Inspired by the Justin Pearson story, the AWARxE campaign’s 2009 media focus was on raising awareness of the risks related to illicit online pharmacies and counterfeit medications. Please go to the awarerx.org “Get Inspired” page to learn more about Justin’s story, and his family’s quest to “save just one.”