The Shadow
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Under Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s wide-ranging substance abuse proposal, West Virginia would target so-called “pill mills” by following the successful lead of Ohio and Florida. But the bill also draws from a Kentucky anti-methamphetamine program that’s had decidedly different results, the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee heard Tuesday.
The Senate committee took its first look at Tomblin’s legislation addressing various forms of drug abuse. It will resume its review Thursday, co-hosting a public hearing with its House counterpart in that body’s Chamber.
Among the bill’s provisions, Tomblin has proposed licensing, inspecting and otherwise overseeing pain clinics. Law enforcement officials say some of these facilities recklessly hand out powerful pain drug prescriptions. The bill also would limit the amount of pills the clinics could dispense.
David Potters, executive director of West Virginia’s Board of Pharmacy, told the committee that Florida and Ohio have shut down unlawful “pill mills” through such regulatory oversight. He singled out the experience of the Portsmouth, Ohio, area where he grew up.
