Novus Detox Center: Opioid Crisis Demands Drug Czar Intervention

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla., Nov. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Prescription opioid overdose deaths have continued to climb, claiming 200,000 lives within the last 20 years; yet U.S. drug czar nominee Tom Marino sponsored a bill that weakened the ability of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to block suspicious opioid shipments.(1) After "60 Minutes" and The Washington Post published investigative stories on Congress's role in hobbling DEA enforcement efforts, Marino withdrew from consideration.(1, 2) Novus Detox Center, a preeminent Florida-based drug treatment provider, maintains the opioid crisis will continue to worsen unless the next drug czar works with the DEA to end opioid diversion.

According to provisional counts by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. drug overdose deaths increased 21% from January 2016 to January 2017. During that time, overdose fatalities rose for all classes of opioids: heroin deaths climbed 16.8%, natural and semi-synthetic prescription opioid deaths spiked 13.4%, while deaths caused by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids more than doubled.(3) In an effort to deter the prescription opioid diversion that has contributed to rising overdose deaths, the DEA cracked down on pharmaceutical distributors found to be complicit in filling suspicious opioid orders, fining them $341 million over the last seven years.(1)

Joe Rannazzisi was appointed Deputy Assistant Administrator for the DEA's Office of Diversion Control in 2006 and aggressively pursued non-compliant distributors. When the distributors' attorneys pressured the DEA to take a softer approach, Rannazzisi and his team of investigators saw their caseload plummet; Rannazzisi was subsequently stripped of his responsibilities and in 2015 resigned from the DEA.(1) Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry spent over $100 million lobbying Congress to pass legislation that would weaken the DEA's enforcement efforts, including nearly $100,000 in contributions to Tom Marino—House sponsor of the Ensuring Patient Access and Effective Drug Enforcement Act, which curtailed the DEA's ability to freeze suspicious drug shipments.(2)

"America's opioid epidemic will continue to spiral out of control unless immediate action is taken, which is why we strongly oppose any efforts to impede the DEA's authority to prevent and prosecute opioid diversion," said Kent Runyon, Vice President of Community Relations for Novus Detox Center. "The Office of National Drug Control Policy and the DEA should be working toward the same goal—an end to the overprescribing and diversion of prescription opioids. We need a drug czar who is willing to take a tough stance against unethical and potentially harmful practices by opioid manufacturers and distributors, so there must be no question of financial ties that would indicate a conflict of interest."

The pharmaceutical industry has responded to DEA investigations by headhunting within the agency's ranks and using their new employees' insights against the DEA. To date, drug industry groups and their law firms have hired more than 45 former DEA investigators, attorneys and supervisors.(1) In fact, the DEA's former associate chief counsel, Linden Barber, is now employed as director of DEA litigation and compliance at Quarles and Brady's Health Law Group. According to an internal Justice Department email, Barber "wrote the Marino bill" that thwarted the DEA's ability to halt opioid shipments.(1)

"By leveraging former DEA employees' insider knowledge and spending hundreds of millions of dollars on political contributions, the pharmaceutical industry now exerts tremendous influence in Washington—and through their lobbying efforts, many members of Congress have been influenced towards advancing Big Pharma's agenda," said Runyon. "As a provider of medically supervised detox programs, we've seen the terrible toll opioids take on those with substance use disorders, and we will continue to advocate for responsible prescribing, stricter regulations and unhindered drug enforcement. Ideally, we'd like to see the next drug czar, the DEA and Congress work together to solve the opioid crisis by implementing awareness, education and prevention programs; enforcing stiff penalties for diversion; and ensuring those struggling with addiction and dependency receive the treatment and support they need to achieve sustainable sobriety."

For more information on Novus Detox Center and its medically supervised opioid treatment programs, visit https://novusdetox.com.

About Novus Detox Center:

Novus Detox Center is soon to be operating two inpatient medical detox facilities that are licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and have earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Behavioral Health Care Accreditation. Renowned for its pioneering approach to Sustainable Sobriety™, Novus provides safe and effective alcohol and drug detox programs that combine next-generation treatment protocols, 24/7 medical supervision and integrated, individualized care. By conditioning the body and mind to re-imagine a fulfilling, drug-free future, Novus empowers patients on their journey to recovery and creates a solid foundation for long-term success. Novus is committed to leading the way in patient experience, both as a detoxification expert and a supportive partner in ongoing health and wellness, and is dedicated to pushing industry standards forward. The original Florida detox facility is located in New Port Richey (outside Tampa) and another is soon to open in West Palm Beach; both feature a wide range of amenities, delicious and healthy meals, and a relaxing, spa-like environment to ensure the withdrawal process is as stress-free and comfortable and as possible. For more information on Novus' medically supervised detox programs, visit https://novusdetox.com.

1.    Whitaker, Bill for "60 Minutes". "Ex-DEA Agent: Opioid Crisis Fueled by Drug Industry and Congress"; CBS News;October 15, 2017; updated October 17, 2017. cbsnews.com/news/ex-dea-agent-opioid-crisis-fueled-by-drug-industry-and-congress/

2.    Higham, Scott and Lenny Bernstein. "Rep. Tom Marino: Drug Czar Nominee and the Opioid Industry's Advocate in Congress"; The Washington Post;October 15, 2017. washingtonpost.com/investigations/rep-tom-marino-drug-czar-nominee-and-the-opioid-industrys-advocate-in-congress/2017/10/15/555211a0-b03a-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html

3.    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Provisional Counts of Drug Overdose Deaths;August 6, 2017. cdc.gov/nchs/data/health_policy/monthly-drug-overdose-death-estimates.pdf

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SOURCE Novus Medical Detox Center