PRINTER'S NO. 4184
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1142
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY BOBACK, PICKETT, HILL-EVANS, SCHLEGEL CULVER,
SONNEY, DUSH, CALTAGIRONE, NEILSON, DiGIROLAMO, MILLARD,
PASHINSKI, STAATS, BURNS, YOUNGBLOOD, R. BROWN, WARD,
DRISCOLL, WARREN AND LONGIETTI, OCTOBER 9, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 9, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Designating October 19, 2018, as "Lock 'Em Up Day in PA."
WHEREAS, Misuse and abuse of prescription drugs has serious
social and public health consequences; and
WHEREAS, Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental
death nationwide; and
WHEREAS, Relatives and friends are the primary sources of
commonly abused prescription drugs; and
WHEREAS, Prescription opioid abuse is recognized as a State
and national epidemic; and
WHEREAS, Opioid medications and other prescription drugs must
always be stored securely; and
WHEREAS, Any person having prescription drugs at home is at
risk for medication diversion, the transfer of a legally
prescribed controlled substance for unlawful distribution or
use; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Survey on Drug Use and
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Health, 70% of controlled substance prescription abusers obtain
their drugs from a family member or friend; and
WHEREAS, The survey further reflects that 53% of persons 12
years of age or older who used pain relievers nonmedically
during the prior year had obtained them from a family member or
friend; and
WHEREAS, A Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council
research brief using data from 2000 through 2014 shows a 225%
increase in the number of hospitalizations for overdose of pain
medication and a 162% increase in the number of hospitalizations
for overdose of heroin; and
WHEREAS, Opioid overdose caused the deaths of more than 4,884
Pennsylvanians in 2016; and
WHEREAS, Safe storage practices include locking prescription
drugs in a secure drawer or cabinet that is out of sight and out
of reach of children, visitors and other family members; and
WHEREAS, Consistently returning medication to its secure
location after each use is another important step in curbing the
State and national opioid epidemic; and
WHEREAS, Authorized take-back programs in our communities
allow consumers to promptly, safely and responsibly dispose of
most types of unused medications; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate October
19, 2018, as "Lock 'Em Up Day in PA" to ensure proper storage
and disposal of opioids and other prescription drugs.
20180HR1142PN4184 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25