Ariz. anti-prescription drug abuse program receives award

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. — The National Criminal Justice Association has recognized a program to combat prescription drug abuse in Arizona as the best such program in the west of the country.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy said the Arizona Prescription Drug Misuse and Abuse Initiative received the NCJA's 2013 Western Region Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Award. The program involves state agencies and organizations, including the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy.

The program includes strategies to reduce illicit acquisition and diversion of medications, and educate healthcare providers about best practices in prescribing and handling controlled substance prescription drugs. It is currently in a pilot stage and active in Yavapai, Pinal and Graham-Greenlee counties. Those counties have seen significant increases in the numbers of prescribers, pharmacists and law enforcement officials who have registered for the state's prescription monitoring program, and Arizona's is one of 16 state PMPs that participates in the NABP's PMP InterConnect data-sharing program.