CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Director of the CDC and Prevention Dr. Tom Frieden says the opioid and heroin epidemic has spiraled out of control to the point where there’s no history to look back on.

“We don’t have models because it’s unprecedented,” he said. “We’ve seen a four-fold in prescribing associated with a four-fold increase in deaths.”

A conference call last week with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and National Drug Control Policy discussed federal and state actions to address the prescription opioid and heroin epidemic.

The CDC released 12 guidelines last week for doctors to use when they prescribe opioid medications.

“These guidelines help physicians chart a safer course for management of chronic pain,” Frieden said. “And recognizes that starting an opioid is a momentous decision that has the potential to derail the patient’s life.”

Director of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli said that the Affordable Health Care Act (Obamacare) has expanded insurance coverage to include addiction treatment.

“Under the law substance use disorder services are considered essential health benefits that are required to be covered by health plans in the health insurance marketplace,” he said. “The law also requires a covered substance use disorder benefits comparable to medical and surgical benefits.”

Frieden said that while some states have better programs than others, no state in the U.S. spends enough money on monitoring prescriptions.

“The budget for many of the prescription monitoring drug programs may be as low as $200,000 or $300,000 a year for all of their activities,” he said. “Really to have a robust program, they have to look at all of the data in real time, identify problem providers and intervene and identify problem patients and intervene.”

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito discussed the importance of getting the antidote Naloxone into the hands of as many people as possible.

“It’s a life saver in terms of a heroin overdose. It can save those that are overdosing and pull them out of their reaction,” she said. “We’re trying to get it as far and widespread as possible.”

Capito admitted that Naloxone couldn’t solve the drug epidemic on its own, but could at least save some who overdose.

“I think everybody realizes this life-saving medical assisted drug treatment can help. It can be part of a solution,” Capito said.

Gov Earl Ray Tomblin’s Substance Abuse Regional Task Force meetings also took place last week.