Symposia to educate medical providers about recognizing, reacting to prescription drug abuse

Held in Morehead, Paintsville, Bowling Green and Manchester

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 15, 2013) — The Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, in cooperation with Appalachian Regional Commission and Operation UNITE, will present symposia to educate medical providers about prescription drug abuse and diversion at four locations across Kentucky this spring.

These free “Kentucky Medical Communities UNITEd”forums are scheduled for Morehead (April 13), Paintsville (April 27), Bowling Green (May 11) and Manchester (June 8).

Presenters at each location will be C. Lloyd Vest II, general counsel for the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure; Dr. Gregory Jones, medical director for the Kentucky Physicians Health Foundation; and David Hopkins, KASPER Program manager within the Office of the Inspector General of Kentucky.

Among topics to be discussed are the new key requirements imposed by the 2012 Kentucky General Assembly (HB 1) and amendments enacted this year; identification of drug abuse and dependence in patients; assessing patients for addiction risk; explaining the KASPER (Kentucky All-Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting) system; and evaluating the risks versus rewards of opioid therapy.

The symposia will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration and a continental breakfast and will conclude at 3 p.m.

Participants in the training forums are eligible to receive 4.5 continuing education credit hours for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, dentists, dental hygienists, pharmacists, social workers, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors, psychologists and Certified Health Education Specialists.

The trainings have been approved by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, Kentucky Board of Nursing, and Certified Health Education Specialists as meeting statutory requirements imposed by House Bill 1.

While there is no charge to attend, registration is required. Complete symposia information and on-line registration is available here or you may call 859-257-5320 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.