Opiate abuse bill passes House, Flynn won’t ask for police access to drug database

by Alicia Freese March 21, 2013 vtdigger.org The Vermont House of Representatives gave preliminary approval Thursday to a multi-part bill that seeks to tackle opioid and methamphetamine abuse in Vermont. The vote was 137-1.
The bill addresses a host of issues, ranging from monitoring the sales of allergy medicines that can be used to manufacture meth to stepping up doctors’ usage of the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System (VPMS).
Several lawmakers lamented the absence of a provision that would expand law enforcement’ s access to the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System ‘ a point that derailed similar legislation last session.
Rep. Cynthia Browning, D-Arlington, said, ‘ I think you have left at least one arrow of your quiver as you aim at this problem.’
In response to the concern raised by Browning and others, Rep. William Lippert, D-Hinesburg announced to the House chamber that the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, Keith Flynn, is not asking for expanded access to the database.
‘ At this time, he is not requesting direct law enforcement access to the Vermont Prescription Monitoring System,’ Lippert said. ‘ He wants to give the increased strengthening of VPMS time to be implemented.’
Many lawmakers attested to the ravages of drug abuse on their communities and commended the bill because it addresses the issue.
‘ This is an issue that I think it’ s fair to say touches each one of us,’ Rep. Ann Pugh, D- South Burlington, said. Pugh, as chair of the Human Services Committee, played a large part during the drafting of the bill.