STATE LEGISLATOR SEEKS ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DOCTORS WITH "PRESCRIBING PROBLEMS"

A bill is being drafted that would require coroners statewide to report deaths from prescription drugs to the state medical board. State Senator Curren Price Jr. is drafting the bill with a legislative council. A representative from his office says the bill is aimed at helping state and local authorities identify practicing doctors who’s prescribing practices may harm their patients. In October the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office told News Channel 3 prescription drug overdoses now outnumber methamphetamine and heroin locally. Coroner Dave Parris says Humboldt reports any drugs found at the time of death on a persons death certificate, but he thinks the bill may require further investigation by authorities to connect a prescription drug related death to a specific doctor.
“We often times see people who use a multitude of drugs to get high,” Parris says, “and often times though tracking and through investigation will determine that they got them from a cousin or friend, and we’re not able to track that back as far as it needs to go, often times they buy them on the street.”
The bill does not have a title or number as the state legislature is not currently in session, but a representative from Senator Price’s office said they hope to have the draft complete by January.