As the number of prescription-related deaths continues to rise, more people are beginning to take notice. Recently, the Rx Abuse Stakeholders group was formed to meet monthly in Cheyenne to talk about ways to combat prescription drug abuse in Wyoming. At the group’s November meeting, Lovell Chief of Police Nick Lewis was invited to tell the group about the Big Horn County Drug Enforcement Task Force, which has been meeting to talk about the same subject since early 2007.


Chief Lewis told the Chronicle he didn’t know what to expect when he was invited to the meeting, but said the group was receptive to what he had to say and he came away very encouraged.


“They have a lot of stuff going on that will help the problem,” he said. “They were very receptive to the Lovell group (DETF).”


The Cheyenne group was appreciative that Lewis attended the meeting, he said, and they asked plenty of questions about the issues faced by the DETF group in Big Horn County. Lewis said he described different scenarios that Big Horn County law enforcement has been dealing with since as early as 2003. He said he spoke to the group for about an hour and a half.


The Rx Abuse Stakeholders group is made up of representatives from the Wyoming Pharmacy Association Board of Directors, Division of Criminal Investigation, Wyoming Health Department, the State of Wyoming, Wyoming Hospitals, Drug Enforcement Administration, the media and others. U.S. Attorney Kelly Rankin, formerly the Park County Prosecutor, chairs the Rx Abuse Stakeholders group.


Lewis said he was encouraged by the different agencies present because some problems identified by the DETF need statewide action to remedy.


The group is working on establishing a statewide electronic reporting system that would allow medical professionals to view recent patient activity before writing them another prescription. The measure, designed to prevent doctor shopping, is something the DETF has talked about for months. Lewis said the people from many different agencies that are a part of the group could help facilitate the system.


He said the Cheyenne group has formed several subcommittees to tackle the different issues related to prescription abuse. One of the groups will work on contacting state legislators to pass legislation and to get funding for the electronic reporting system. Another subcommittee will deal with health care issues and another with law enforcement issues.


They also talked about setting up groups in Wyoming communities to work on local issues and coordinate with the Cheyenne group.


Another issue Lewis brought up was the need for photo IDs to be required during a doctor visit and while picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy.


“The real time (electronic reporting system) won’t work if they can be whoever they want,” Lewis said.


Lewis said requiring photo IDs would not require legislative action.


He said the group is ready to take action soon, but they are being careful to make sure the step they take is not counter productive.


“They have a lot of concern,” Lewis said. “They realize there’s a problem and they are looking for ways to positively affect it.”


Lewis said he plans to go to the meeting each month to keep the Big Horn County group informed and involved. The meetings will be held the third Wednesday of every month at the Federal Building in Cheyenne at 9 a.m.


DETF activist Ken Ferbrache was also invited to the meeting, but couldn’t attend.