PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – Overdoses from heroin, prescription drugs, and opioid pain relievers last year surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of injury-related death in America.
That's one of the many reasons why legislators are discussing the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. The problem hits home especially in West Virginia.
This bill would help curb doctors from over-prescribing pain medication. It also allows for a prescription to be partially filled.
That way, unused pain pills are less likely to pose as a hazard at home.
"Maybe you need pain medicines for 48-72 hours. You don't need them for 30 days. Let's not have them sitting in the medicine cabinet if you're not using them because that's where a lot of addiction begins unfortunately," said U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, (R-WV.)
The bill is being considered in the Senate and lawmakers say it will likely pass in the coming days. It would then move to the House.