Task force created to curb opioid and heroin abuse

By: The Associated Press

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Medical Association (AMA) is partnering with Rhode Island to reduce opioid abuse and heroin use.

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, a Democrat, created a task force to prevent overdose deaths. 

The Rhode Island Medical Society, The American Medical Association and Rhode Island state health officials announced Friday that they will on that task force working together to develop a kit for health care providers.

This kit will have data, tools, and resources needed to better inform providers at prescribing practices.

Providers will then be able to address the many different needs of their patients.

The kit is expected to be released in Rhode Island in September

Rhode Island and Alabama are the only two states participating in this pilot program with the medical association.

The project is funded through a federal grant.                 

Its action plan said safer prescribing is crucial.

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