New KY law to protect those who medically need prescriptions - 14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

New KY law to protect those who medically need prescriptions

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MUHLENBERG CO., KY (WFIE) -

A new Kentucky law balances the crackdown on prescription drug abuse by protecting those who medically need those prescriptions.

Kentucky is regarded as the epicenter for prescription drug abuse. On Tuesday, Governor Beshear took further strides to combat the epidemic that has spread throughout the state.

Expanding upon House Bill 1, or the "Pill Mill Bill", Governor Beshear signed into law House Bill 217 aimed at making improvements to last year's monumental prescription drug abuse legislation.

This additive bill takes into account the needs of the most pain-stricken patients, such as in the end-stages of cancer and clarifies the qualifications necessary to own and operate pain management clinics.

"Prescription drug abuse needs to be a priority. It's a problem that is widespread. It's moved from epidemic to pandemic proportions in our state," Muhlenberg County Sheriff Curtis McGhee said.

Since House Bill 1 took effect last year, doses of all controlled substances has dropped 10 percent.

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