HARTFORD -- Finding more prescription pain pills was at one point all 26 year-old Max Danilin thought of.
"In order to save lives and cut the amount of prescriptions being written, that's really what's important," said Danilin.
The heroin addict, who is in recovery, is applauding the state House of Representatives' support of a bill that would put a seven-day supply limit on a patient's first prescription of opioids.
There would be exceptions. For example, those who've had extreme surgeries or are taking opioids for end-of-life care would be permitted longer prescriptions.
"Having a doctor check up on you after a week and then another would just be--that close monitoring, that's what needs to be done," Danilin said.
Dr. J. Craig Allen, of the Rushford Center, supports the bill. The doctor cited studies verified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that showed no additional benefits of taking pain relievers after the third or fourth day.
However, the key question at hand is if a reduction in prescriptions for opioids will lead to increased heroin use, the very thing this bill is trying to curb.
Allen said, "Hopefully, the opposite will happen and prescribers will identify people who are at risk or who have developed an addiction."
Although Dr. C. Michael White, a pharmacist, agrees with the bill and looked at the CDC research that Dr. Allen did, he did have some concerns about the cost and inconvenience to patients.
"How is the physician going to feel about writing you a prescription for an extra seven day supply-without seeing you? And if he wants to see you, what do you to for time off from work to schedule that, and your co-payment for you to get an additional seven day supply?" White asked.
He fears that patients would turn to heroin because it is "readily available" and "inexpensive."
Meanwhile, Danilin says that while focusing on prevention is a good thing, there needs to be more focus on treatment.
"There's not a lot of innovative options. There's a lot of traditional options. You go to detox three to five days and you get out," Danilin said.
The proposed opioid legislation now goes to the state Senate for a vote.
