Ky. fighting prescription drug abuse with new monitoring program

FRANKFORT, Ky. - The state of Kentucky is trying to combat the growing problem of prescription drug abuse.

Gov. Steve Beshear says the state is attacking the issue by joining 20 other states in a new drug monitoring program.

The Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting program, or KASPER, has joined the National Association of Board of Pharmacy's Prescription Monitoring Program InterConnect, or PMP InterConnect.

PMP InterConnect allows prescription drug abuse information to be shared across state lines.

Kentucky plans to sign the agreement to receive drug dispensing data monitoring drug abuse through PMP InterConnect. The state says many drug abusers are filling prescriptions across state lines and the program will monitor how often that happens.

"The blight of prescription drug abuse is tearing our families and communities apart, and we must use every tool available to attack this deadly scourge on our state," said Beshear. "One of our key strategies is sharing information with surrounding states, so that we can not only cut off access to abusers, but also identify the problem prescribers."

Kentucky has the highest rate of Opioid abuse across the country, and prescription drug deaths are now more common than deaths caused by car accidents.

The program won't cost taxpayers a dime. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy is paying for all costs associated with the program.

The governor is also supporting legislative efforts to attack prescription drug abuse. A new proposed house bill would require all prescription providers to register and use the new system.