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How many more victims does it take for our Government to take action against the abuse and deaths from prescription drugs. FDA, DEA, SAMHSA/CSAT  set in place to protect the public are only aiding in the epidemic of abuse and deaths from these lethal drug

Help Stop Methadone & Rx Deaths and abuse

Target:
Drug Companies, Health Care Providers, FDA, DEA, SAMHSA/CSAT, Politicians








Section I



Introduction to the Dangers of Toxic Drugs, i.e., Methadone. The single most important factor of any drug is its margin of safety. Methadone is a Dangerous and Potentially Fatal Drug that is beginning to affect our country in epidemic proportions. Methadones clandestine toxic properties build up quickly and can rapidly become fatal, rendering the patient unable to help himself and unaware of the danger presented.
Section II
 
Establishing the Protection of patient rights by Right to Know, Full Disclosure to protect the safety and welfare of patients unaware of potentially hazardous and toxic drugs. The Physician and Pharmacist should be mandated to disclose any and all available information on a prescribing drug and waivers should be signed stated that the hazards have been fully explained and accepted by the patient stating that full disclosure of a drugs safety has been provided and documented, both the physician and patient should sign; as well as the patient and pharmacist at the dispensing pharmacy. All drugs of potential lethality should especially be thoroughly explained to the patient and benefits outweigh the risk of death, this must be documented and signed by the patient and physician. Should the patient refuse and ask for a safer alternative medication, it should be mandated that their can be no repercussions from the physician for refusing the medication.






Section III






  Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Medical Assistants, Nurses, Pharmacist, and Clinical Personnel should receive additional training and continuing education on medications that pose a special risk of lethality and toxicity, drugs that have potential for lethality and toxic plasma concentrations within a relatively short time or after only a small dose. This training should be documented and presented to a patient upon request and training should be on an ongoing basis.






Section IV






  National Medical/Patient Adverse Drug Safety Database Immediate Posting of Potential Lethal Drugs-Immediate share capability across the country. These services should be provided free of charge to the public. 






Section V 






  Public Education and Awareness into communities, clinics, offices, schools, hospitals, and public libraries to increase the awareness and potentially toxic drugs and drug combinations. This should be through all media outlets available radio, newspaper, school programs, community programs, outreach, handouts, internet ads, mandatory drug company distribution, etc.






Section VI






 DEA compliance issues and more easy accessibility to physician offices, clinics, hospitals, and greater enforcement powers in jurisdictions with higher incidence of diversion. Tougher criminal penalties for diversion should also be investigated.






Section VII






 Patients at risk with preexisting cardio-pulmonary conditions or patients predisposed to conditions such as Long QT Syndrome should be extensively tested and approved for use of cardio-pulmonary toxic drugs by specialist in their respective fields prior to prescribing drugs in this category.









Section VIII






  Full Congressional Investigation and appointment of the Attorney General to investigate the patterns of Pharmaceutical Companies and their extent of prior knowledge of drug safety issues and failure to report these issues and safety concerns. Mandatory ruling that drug companies must sponsor ongoing research and studies for drug safety with an independent source of investigation. Drug companies should face criminal penalties if they do not comply or failure to report preexisting knowledge of a dangerous drug.






Section IX






 FDA giving more control and proactive role in it's responsibilities to overall margins of drug safety issues. FDA should be given more scope of authority in the event of fatal drug reactions. Establish guidelines to reduce the impact of Pharmaceutical Companies influence on the FDA and establish a mandatory reporting system that mandates the Senators, Congressman, and Physicians to disclose any compensation or gifts provided to them from Pharmaceutical Companies as an incentive to offer their products.






Section X






  Establish Methadone Detoxification Programs in lieu of MMT. Offer alternatives and other therapies.






Section XI 






 Limit the use of Government subsidized payments for services such as MMT, i.e. Medicaid. Use a workable timeline to detoxify and then sever payment from any subsidy for any further treatment for any noncompliant patient or after an extensive timeline has expired. Payments should only be made to work the patient through detoxification and not to maintain the patient on any medication for an extended period...






Section XII






  Establish Limited Use Only Guidelines for Use of methadone in the practice of pain management. Methadone should be the Drug of last resort with careful monitoring of the patient and blood plasma levels would be required, often, this would also assure a constant steady rate blood level and show methadone was not being diverted. Limited number of medication should also be instituted and medication given in smaller increments pending outcomes of drug test and plasma concentrations when using Methadone for pain control.
Section XIII
 
Outlaw all internet sales of Schedule II & III narcotics.


For further information visit:
http://mothersagainstmedicalabuse.org/default.aspx

For current reports and support visit:
http//mamaorg.free-forums.org/









Section I



Introduction to the Dangers of Toxic Drugs, i.e., Methadone. The single most important factor of any drug is its margin of safety. Methadone is a Dangerous and Potentially Fatal Drug that is beginning to affect our country in epidemic proportions. Methadones clandestine toxic properties build up quickly and can rapidly become fatal, rendering the patient unable to help himself and unaware of the danger presented.
Section II
 
Establishing the Protection of patient rights by Right to Know, Full Disclosure to protect the safety and welfare of patients unaware of potentially hazardous and toxic drugs. The Physician and Pharmacist should be mandated to disclose any and all available information on a prescribing drug and waivers should be signed stated that the hazards have been fully explained and accepted by the patient stating that full disclosure of a drugs safety has been provided and documented, both the physician and patient should sign; as well as the patient and pharmacist at the dispensing pharmacy. All drugs of potential lethality should especially be thoroughly explained to the patient and benefits outweigh the risk of death, this must be documented and signed by the patient and physician. Should the patient refuse and ask for a safer alternative medication, it should be mandated that their can be no repercussions from the physician for refusing the medication.






Section III






  Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Medical Assistants, Nurses, Pharmacist, and Clinical Personnel should receive additional training and continuing education on medications that pose a special risk of lethality and toxicity, drugs that have potential for lethality and toxic plasma concentrations within a relatively short time or after only a small dose. This training should be documented and presented to a patient upon request and training should be on an ongoing basis.






Section IV






  National Medical/Patient Adverse Drug Safety Database Immediate Posting of Potential Lethal Drugs-Immediate share capability across the country. These services should be provided free of charge to the public. 






Section V 






  Public Education and Awareness into communities, clinics, offices, schools, hospitals, and public libraries to increase the awareness and potentially toxic drugs and drug combinations. This should be through all media outlets available radio, newspaper, school programs, community programs, outreach, handouts, internet ads, mandatory drug company distribution, etc.






Section VI






 DEA compliance issues and more easy accessibility to physician offices, clinics, hospitals, and greater enforcement powers in jurisdictions with higher incidence of diversion. Tougher criminal penalties for diversion should also be investigated.






Section VII






 Patients at risk with preexisting cardio-pulmonary conditions or patients predisposed to conditions such as Long QT Syndrome should be extensively tested and approved for use of cardio-pulmonary toxic drugs by specialist in their respective fields prior to prescribing drugs in this category.









Section VIII






  Full Congressional Investigation and appointment of the Attorney General to investigate the patterns of Pharmaceutical Companies and their extent of prior knowledge of drug safety issues and failure to report these issues and safety concerns. Mandatory ruling that drug companies must sponsor ongoing research and studies for drug safety with an independent source of investigation. Drug companies should face criminal penalties if they do not comply or failure to report preexisting knowledge of a dangerous drug.






Section IX






 FDA giving more control and proactive role in it's responsibilities to overall margins of drug safety issues. FDA should be given more scope of authority in the event of fatal drug reactions. Establish guidelines to reduce the impact of Pharmaceutical Companies influence on the FDA and establish a mandatory reporting system that mandates the Senators, Congressman, and Physicians to disclose any compensation or gifts provided to them from Pharmaceutical Companies as an incentive to offer their products.






Section X






  Establish Methadone Detoxification Programs in lieu of MMT. Offer alternatives and other therapies.






Section XI 






 Limit the use of Government subsidized payments for services such as MMT, i.e. Medicaid. Use a workable timeline to detoxify and then sever payment from any subsidy for any further treatment for any noncompliant patient or after an extensive timeline has expired. Payments should only be made to work the patient through detoxification and not to maintain the patient on any medication for an extended period...






Section XII






  Establish Limited Use Only Guidelines for Use of methadone in the practice of pain management. Methadone should be the Drug of last resort with careful monitoring of the patient and blood plasma levels would be required, often, this would also assure a constant steady rate blood level and show methadone was not being diverted. Limited number of medication should also be instituted and medication given in smaller increments pending outcomes of drug test and plasma concentrations when using Methadone for pain control.
Section XIII
 
Outlaw all internet sales of Schedule II & III narcotics.


For further information visit:
http://mothersagainstmedicalabuse.org/default.aspx

For current reports and support visit:
http//mamaorg.free-forums.org/

  We the undersigned of this country will no longer take a back seat to the epidemic that has swept our nation, prescription addiction and deaths. Drug companies can no longer have the power and influence over Washington and Federal Agencies. They must be held accountable when minimizing a drugs lethal qualities and be forced to remove a drug that is responsible for a multitude of deaths. Legalized drug dealing is not an acceptable practice and those supporting this act must stop, to include such agencies as SAMHSA/CSAT, FDA and DEA.
   Many innocent lives are being lost daily due to lethal drugs being produced and distributed in this country. Accessability is the first step in reducing this problem. Instead the market has been flooded with dangerous drugs and no attempts are being made to reduce this problem. Corporate drug companies and doctors are being protected as acts of diversion increase. We are creating more drug addicts then have previously existed only to place then on another highly addictive, deadly narcotic and call it therapy.
    Although these drugs are legally manufactured and distributed, addiction is still addiction and death is the final outcome. Methadone is killing people who are not abusing it and taking it as prescribed, yet nothing is being done. These are human beings who deserve better from a country they admire and trust. Devotion should be to the American people not the doctors and drug companies. In some cases their getting by with murder, and it is all being ignored.
     Please help make these changes before it happens to another victim or even someone you love.
     Thanking you in advance for your time and hopefully future efforts in stopping this epidemic of OxyContin, Methadone deaths and addiction.
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We signed the "Help Stop Methadone & Rx Deaths and abuse" petition!
# 488:
4:34 am PST, Nov 19, Name not displayed, Mississippi
My oh my!!! People really need to get educated. I also know several people who have passed away while on methadone, but it was always mixed with other narcotics. Methadone when mixed with benzos(valium xanax ect) is a very bad mix and should never be taken together. All MMT clinics will tell you that. Methadone when taken alone is very safe. People need to be honest and tell thier doctors that they are on methadone and they will find you safe alternatives to meds that should not be mixed with methadone.
# 487:
9:30 am PST, Nov 16, Sandee Bosch, California
Yes, methadone it is a very dangerous drug!!!!!! I know what I am talking about I was on and off of it over many years.
# 486:
12:14 pm PDT, Oct 22, Shelly McEvilly, Indiana
My nephew Jacob passed away from this horrific drug. A large extended family that will never be the same. I have so many wonderful memories of my nephew but every time I think of him my heart is broken all over again. PLEASE help families like mine and do not let these senseless deaths go ignored.
# 485:
6:49 am PDT, Oct 22, LorraineRIP MISLABELED SUICIDE, New York
READ THIS STORY www.Drugawareness.org/recentcases/suspicious-suicide-of-sister forward to all you know. seeking justice for Lori and all others lost. Failure to warn was just one failure on their part FAILURE TO COME FORWARD AND TELL FAMILIES WAS THE OTHER!
# 484:
11:10 am PDT, Oct 14, Donna Feather, Missouri
I lost my son, Jeff, to Methadone, supplied by his childhood friend who got him hooked into (friends) prescription. Watch who your children hang out with. If you have any doubt about them, sever those ties.
# 483:
8:53 pm PDT, Oct 7, Alyssa Hawkins, Nevada
hi my name is Alyssa, i an 15 years ols. i lost a best friend that was like a brother to me, he was 15. ita hard to lost a friend that is so close. his is dearly mist and i love you Austin
# 482:
6:44 am PDT, Sep 21, Laurie Basso, North Carolina
# 481:
12:48 am PDT, Sep 15, Name not displayed, Arizona
I was on Methadone wich is a full opiod agonist just like its co-parts oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine & heroin it was a long fight 6 years of my youth lost. My understanding of the drug is on a high degree. Many people use opioids to cover a mental pain or simply a lack of understanding why their in self destruck, when opioids are for pain of the body not of the mind, in other words intil that person seeks out forgiveness or finally comes to terms of what those may have done to the they will be in limbo & all recovery will seize. There is many more facets Iv studied this & lived it & Im here to help! Just ask. AKA LIQUID HANDCUFFS A FRIEND BEFORE YOU EVEN KNOW ME...

COUNTLESS FRIENDS LOST!!!

# 480:
9:06 am PDT, Sep 10, Lia VanderNat, South Carolina
I have read the information on the web site and the memorials from famlies and most of the losses were due to lack of the drugs interaction and reaction in people and the ability to see the difference in time to save a life
# 479:
8:17 pm PDT, Sep 9, Tawana Vaughan, Louisiana
My wonderful son passed away at the age of 19 on fathers day june 18th 2006,,,our family has never gotten over losing this wonderful son, brother, uncle, grandson, and the best friend anyone could ever ask for...we luv and miss our BROCK so much you could not amagine...
# 478:
2:12 pm PDT, Sep 9, Peter Desnoyers, Colorado
Our son died August 7, 2009 after taking Methadone he had obtained. He was 18 years old, our only chid, our life. He was a normal teen experimenting with some drugs. Unfortunately, he had no idea what he was dealing. He got it from our nephew who was getting it from a clinic. The clinic closes on the weekend and gives their addicts a weekend supply. Does that sound right?
# 477:
4:59 pm PDT, Aug 25, Name not displayed, Tennessee
My 23 year old son died after a physician prescribed him 14 days of methadone at 10mgs a day. He died exactly 14 days later in his sleep. He had taken his last pill. His breathing simply stopped because of the methadone. My heart is forever broken. This physician was not licensed to prescribe this drug, but did it anyway. My son had no idea what it was capable of doing. PLEASE TAKE THIS DRUG OFF THE MARKET. METHADONE KILLS AND MURDERS DO WEAR WHITE COATS.
# 476:
9:14 am PDT, Aug 18, Sharon Sykes, California
Your comment is vital to making this petition effective. We must show our targets that this is an issue felt by many. We will not sit back any longer.

Have you or someone you know lost a loved one or been affected by a prescription drug (OxyContin, Methadone, etc)?

# 475:
6:23 am PDT, Aug 9, Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
# 474:
12:49 pm PDT, Jul 28, Howard Kyle, Texas
We lost our 29-year old son on May 8th. His toxicology blood tests indicated a "normal therapeutic" methadone level, which the medical examiner says killed him.
# 473:
7:13 pm PDT, Jul 27, Regina McClimond, Florida
My 20 year old daughter has OD'd twice, and been very lucky. Dr.'s say she should be dead. The first time was March 18, 2008. We sent her to rehab for 90 days June 2008 to August 2008. We thought she was staying clean, but noticed she was keeping her distance again. Her 2nd OD was Friday, July 24, 2009. She was with a "friend" in the ER waiting room when she began convulsing, and quit breathing on her own. She was transferred to ICU within 3 hours. She started breathing on her own again well over 24 hours of convulsing and passing out. She was released from the hospital this morning, July 27, 2009. Who knows where she is now, I'm scared she won't be so lucky next time.
# 472:
6:33 pm PDT, Jul 20, Fran Ciabattoni, Pennsylvania
Our Northeast Phila. grief group of mothers who have lost children from drug abuse are supporting parents who have lost their kids to oxycontin. We have a petition also: BanOxyContin.com. We must all join together and try to make a difference. Will the DEA and the FDA please wake up and pay attention to our borders for drug smugglers as well as the overprescribing and easy access to prescription narcotics. We need a computerized cross-check system for presciptions at pharmacies.
# 471:
5:58 pm PDT, Jul 13, Michaela Flynn, Oklahoma
Hello, I am an eldest sister who lost my baby sister to a methadone drug overdose on May 13, 2009. I am the oldest of 4, mother of 3 and she was my very favorite sister- I was a mother figure to her.It was an accident and I am feeling out of sorts. I am grateful that I saw her a month before she died and we had a wonderful week together , cooking , laughing, watching movies, being mommies together. But I miss her terribly and really don't know what to fo with myself. Michaela

Have you or someone you know lost a loved one or been affected by a prescription drug (OxyContin, Methadone, etc)?

# 470:
9:31 am PDT, Jul 12, Name not displayed, California
# 469:
8:22 am PDT, Jul 2, Casey Nelson, California
We lost our 21 year old daughter to prescription drugs. We want no one to ever suffer the way we have the last year and a few months.
# 468:
7:57 am PDT, Jul 2, Wendy Nelson, California
I lost my precious 21 year old daughter Brianne Nelson at the hands of a 30 year old family "friend" who funished my daughter with her prescription drugs, photographed her naked, and procured a man from the internet to have sex with my incapacitated daughter. They saw her "going down fast" but chose not to call 911 and left her to die. My daughter was not an addict but a victim of an addict and those who enabled her addiction including those who precribed to this habitual user. My life is shattered and as a mom, part of me has died as well. There needs to be tighter control on these drugs and tougher laws.
# 467:
6:30 am PDT, Jul 1, Alisha Regan, Michigan
You have the Government taking pills off the market when they have a few deaths except when the drug is backed by the Government. Here are a few that were not Government backed pills that were pulled after only a few deaths, so how many deaths is it going to take to remove Methadone The maker of Duract, a popular prescription painkiller, removed the drug from the market yesterday after four patients died and eight others had to undergo liver transplants because of adverse reactions The Washington Post | June 23, 1998| An anesthesia drug, Raplon, is being taken off the market because five patients died Diet drugs Redux and Fenfluramine were removed from the market after they were found to cause heart valve problems in a small number of patients. Earlier this month, Posicor, a medication prescribed for high blood pressure, was withdrawn when it was found to react adversely with about two dozen other medications. At that time, the FDA said it had received reports of 24 deaths associated with Posicor. And yesterday, the painkiller Duract, was pulled from pharmacy shelves after four patients died of liver failure and eight more required liver transplants Baycol was taken off the market because many deaths occurred. There are so many that are removed after only a few deaths, it would be nice to know why this drug is still on the market.

I lost my Mother in November 2004 @ 59 years old short time after surgery, due to being prescribed Methadone for pain after her back surgery. Only 2 pills were missing from her prescription. She was a wonderful Mother,Best Friend that will never have the joy of meeting her Grand Daughter. Her death along with all the Thousand others could have been avoided.

# 466:
1:15 pm PDT, Jun 30, Linda Caruana, New York
I have very strong convictions about this.Something needs to change. Too many people are either addicted or dead because of these drugs.
# 465:
3:22 pm PDT, Jun 29, Dan Cave, New York
# 464:
12:02 pm PDT, Jun 29, Tracy Moe, California
My beautiful, vibrant 17 year old daughter was killed by methadone. Her friends mother, Laura Wion, gave her methadone for the pain Kelsea had in her back. She gave Kelsea over 25 methadone pills in a prescription bottle with directions how to take them. Kelsea trusted this woman and did not know it was methadone. This woman was able to do this because her physician was giving her 450 methadone pills a MONTH to take home. When the DOJ investigator went to Wions home, Wion had 3 full months of medication for a total of 1300 methadone pills in her posession. If doctors were not able to hand out this drug so freely for people to take home, Kelsea Lyn Phelps would be here, alive, with her mother and brother. This needs to stop because there are too many people dieing of this type of drug overdose, who do not need to be.
# 463:
9:20 am PDT, Jun 29, Kathryn Caruana, New York
# 462:
3:10 pm PDT, Jun 27, Brianna Lopez, New Mexico
# 461:
2:14 pm PDT, Jun 25, Tamra Barnes, Nevada
A 15year old son of a friend.
# 460:
12:24 pm PDT, Jun 25, Carrie Young, Nevada
# 459:
10:55 pm PDT, Jun 24, Kristi Rife, California
# 458:
12:10 pm PDT, Jun 24, Margaret Thomas, North Carolina
I am signing this petiton because my only child died of methodone overdose.He was a sweet wonderful young man who I will miss the rest of my life.I really want to do more !!
# 457:
8:54 am PDT, Jun 19, Jane Sweeney, Massachusetts
I thought that my son was getting help from the clinic when in fact methodone killed him. We miss him and hope that something will be done to stop needless deaths. He left so much behind.
# 456:
12:50 pm PDT, Jun 17, M. Metusec, Pennsylvania
I now know so many young people that are addicted to methadone and either prescribed by a doctor or bought on the street, Too many young people are dying from this drug and something needs to be done..some of these doctors are just "legal drugdealers"! This needs to end!
# 455:
10:21 pm PDT, Jun 15, Joann Deal, Georgia
This drug is not safe for anyone the clinic does not regulate the patient correctly they say it dont intoxicate you if that is true how come when people take it they act crazy they need to stop making it

I have several family members on this methadone im scared its going to kill one of them please do something about it

# 454:
7:47 pm PDT, Jun 14, Cyndi Jacobi, Michigan
My 25 year old son died on June 4, 2009 of an accidential methadone overdose. He was in severe pain from breaking his back twice. He ran out of his own pain medication and was given methadone from an acquaintance. WE HAVE TO STOP ALL THESE DEATHS
# 453:
6:52 pm PDT, Jun 4, Janice Massa, Pennsylvania
# 452:
11:28 am PDT, Jun 3, Name not displayed, Canada
My son was found almost dead in July 2008. He was found blue and hardly breathing on the side of the road from alcohol and methadone overdose. He found his friends methadone and drank some, not knowing anything about the drug. In December 2008 my daughter died as a result of alcohol and methadone. There were some others drugs found in her system, but the methadone that she injested was in the fridge at her girlfriends house.She was 28 yrs old.
# 451:
6:51 am PDT, May 26, Pejnovic Srdjan, Belgium
Prescribe lifelong methadone therapy to someone as a help , is same as giving him a blunt knife to commit suicide . It is inhuman and sadistic. They know that he's gonna die, but he has to suffer too. Helping is helping and moneymaking is moneymaking. Anything but 4-5 weeks, is no longer prescribing but dilling. They/methadone clinics/ have no plan, no program base for helping people beyond giving to them their doses, and I'm sure they don't want to. If they think methadone is so great, let them try live on it ,cause your mind is bend constantly and sometimes that is list of your problems. No clinic can successfully function without counseling and only ex-users can provide it. As in every illness, experience is crucial, but in fight against addictions has to be underlined. With little bit less of greed and more care solution can be find.
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