Rauner signs opioid law

Posted on December 14, 2017
Bruce Rauner
Gov. Rauner signed a bill on Wednesday that he said would made it harder for patients to go “doctor-shopping” for opioid prescriptions. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Bruce Rauner)

By RFD Radio/WFMB

EAST ST. LOUIS – Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday signed legislation designed to prevent opioid abuse.

The legislation requires those in the prescription business to use a database containing patient prescription histories. That allows physicians to detect if patients have previously requested controlled substances from other doctors.

Rauner signed the legislation at Comprehensive Behavioral Health Center in East St. Louis.

“The scourge of opioid addiction is devastating thousands and thousands of families across our state,” Rauner said, adding Illinois saw nearly 3,000 deaths to opioid abuse last year. “We have got to the this scourge.”

The new law takes effect Jan. 1.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…