Arizona looks to better inform teens and limit forged prescriptions of opioids to start 2019

PHOENIX — In an effort to eliminate forged prescriptions, starting January 1, doctors practicing in metropolitan areas are now only able to write online prescriptions for opioids. The E-prescriptions are part of the Arizona Opioid Epidemic Act which the legislature adopted during a special session last year. 

Since the state declared an opioid epidemic, Arizona physicians reduced the number of opioid prescriptions they write by 36-percent. 

In 2018 more than 22-hundred people are suspected of dying from opioid overdoses in Arizona. Rich, poor, parents, children. Opioid addiction doesn’t discriminate. 

"I was at a friend's house, and someone had taken a pill out their mom's cabinet, when they brought it, I tried it and I loved it." By John Koch's own admission, he should be dead. Multiple overdoses. Arrested 20 times, 7 years in prison. It all started taking just one pill. Koch says he was introduced to OxyContin by a friend when he was 14 years old. 

The Arizona Department of Health Services is now targeting teens with a public service campaign titled "Opioids getting in is easier than getting out."

Dr. Cara Christ, the Director of Arizona's Department of Health Services says the campaign, "is designed to use graphic images to teach our teens the dangers of opioids."

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