Letter to the Chair of the Board of Nursing - Addressing the Heroin and Opoid Problem

Letter

Dear Board Chair/President:

New Hampshire is facing an opioid epidemic, with more than 340 of our friends, neighbors and relatives dying from a drug overdose this year alone. Too often, the cycle of addiction began with opioids prescribed for legitimate medical purposes.

In response to this epidemic, the Board of Medicine recently enacted emergency rules to help ensure that physicians adhere to best practices when prescribing opioids, and the board of Medicine will soon begin work on stronger permanent rules. In addition, I have proposed comprehensive legislation aimed at combating the opioid epidemic that includes a requirement that all health boards update their rules governing the prescribing of opioids.

As our legislature engages in the important work of getting expedited legislation to my desk to strengthen our efforts to combat the heroin and opioid crisis, I ask that you meet as a board to discuss whether there are rules your board can enact on an emergency basis or, in the alternative, guidelines that can be implemented until legislation is enacted. In that regard, I would ask that you work with the Department of Justice civil bureau attorney assigned to your board to determine the proper steps. In addition, I would refer you to the Board of Medicine's emergency rules, press release, and website, which collectively set for rules, guidelines, and resource materials that provide support to licensees with respect to opioid prescribing practices.

As the mother of a young man with severe and permanent disabilities, I understand the important role that appropriately prescribed opioids can play in addressing serious pain. But I also know that research indicates that opioids are given for too long, at too high a dose, and before other alternatives are fully utilized. As I meet with people across New Hampshire struggling with addiction, I hear time and time again that it began with a legal prescription.

We are working hard to ensure that we have the resources and laws necessary to help people get treatment for this addiction. But to truly stem the tide, we need to work harder to stop addiction before it begins. Ensuring that prescribers are using recognized best practices when prescribing opioids is critical to that effort.

I ask that you meet as a board to discuss this specific topic and promptly begin the process of considering emergency action that your individual board can take, a process that should be followed by the adoption of permanent rules. My office and the Department of Justice will be available to provide you with assistance. Thank you for your work on this effort and for the people of New Hampshire every day.

With every good wish,

Margaret Wood Hassan
Governor

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