HOUSE OKS CREATION OF DATABASE ON NARCOTICS IN SOUTHWEST VA

RICHMOND -- Swallowing strong pain medicine won't place most Virginians on
a new controversial state database that tracks certain pharmacist-filled
prescriptions.

But Southwest Virginians who take addictive narcotics -- legally or
illegally -- will soon be a part of a prescription-monitoring program that
some say is destined for the rest of the state.

The House of Delegates voted 59-40 Thursday to begin devising a limited
database that lists the names and addresses of Southwest Virginians who buy
any of 16 narcotics, including codeine, morphine and opium.

Supporters of the measure said the monitoring program would help the state
crack down on drug abuse and save lives. Opponents warned that it could
invade the privacy of legal drug users, including cancer patients. An
identical measure for a two-year test program has been approved by the
Senate. The bill now goes to Gov. Mark R. Warner, who must decide whether
to sign it into law.

The database, which would be kept confidential and controlled by the state
Department of Health director, would take about 18 months to create. The
intent is to stop drug abusers from taking prescriptions to several
pharmacists to get them filled. To catch abusers, police must now visit
pharmacists believed to have filled the addicts' prescriptions.

Access to the database would be restricted to state police actively
investigating a suspected abuser. Anyone publicly releasing the
confidential material would be subject to a maximum $2,500 fine and a year
in jail.

Sponsors of the measure originally sought to make the database statewide
and monitor a wider variety of drugs, including some cough syrups. But
several lawmakers said the program infringed on personal privacy.

Del. S. Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, helped revise the bill. Jones, a
pharmacist, admitted the problem isn't limited to Southwest Virginia.

During a lengthy debate on the bill, SB425, supporters said the database is
the state's best attempt at stopping the escalating abuse of OxyContin. The
drug is a prescribed pain killer that some people crush and inject to get high.

The addictions have resulted in more than 100 deaths nationwide, about half
in Virginia and many in the southwest region which borders Kentucky and
West Virginia. Both states have set up similar databases to stop the
addictions.

Opponents said the program smacked of "Big Brother."

"It will inevitably have a chilling effect on doctors' willingness to
prescribe pain medications," said Del. Kristen J. Amundson, D-Fairfax.

Amundson's father died last month of cancer. He took OxyContin.

"This is where the erosion of freedom begins ladies and gentlemen," said
Del. Ward L. Armstrong, D-Henry.