Legislation Promoting Alternatives to Opioids Gains Support
PLAINSBORO, N.J., Jan. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Assembly Bill 3901 sponsored by Assemblyman Daniel Benson (D-14) and Senate Bill 3304 sponsored by Senator Joseph Cryan (D-20) establish a pilot program, the "Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Pilot Program," in the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services in the Department of Health.
"We must use every available resource at our disposal. I introduced Assembly Bill 3901 to provide another option to enhance the state's expanding treatment programs" stated Assemblyman Benson.
The purpose of the program is to provide osteopathic manipulation treatment (OMT) to those who receive services for an addiction or substance use disorder and who suffer from chronic pain, in order to assist these individuals in their recovery.
"It is clear that we need to do much more to fight the opioid epidemic. This is an innovative approach. The potential for both treatment and prevention is great," stated Senator Cryan.
"We seek to broaden the public's knowledge of osteopathic medicine to fight the opioid addiction crisis" said Tajma Kotoric, Executive Director of the New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons (NJAOPS).
The program seeks to establish:
- holistic treatment approaches
- creation of new screening protocols for addiction initiated by primary care physicians.
"The pilot program will provide manipulative therapy to individuals who are treating for an addiction or substance use disorder and suffer from chronic pain," notes Leonard Schuchman, DO, MPH, FAAFP, and President of NJAOPS. "Additionally, this program will seek to highlight the efficacy of manipulation as an alternative to prescription drugs for pain relief. If found to be an effective replacement for opioids, this would signify the expanded use of manipulative therapy beyond the pilot program."
Principles of osteopathic medical practice and "manipulation therapy" assert that treatments relieve pain without the use of opioids help individuals to survive or avoid addiction and live their lives more fully. By investigating measurable outcomes, the program will evaluate the viability of having such treatments more widely available as an alternative to prescription drugs.
"Osteopathic medicine has the ability to help professionals and patients with this opioid epidemic. We are pleased to have a strategic partner with Seabrook House, who strongly supports this legislation. We thank Senator Cryan and Assemblyman Benson for their hard work and dedication in finding unique solutions for the opioid epidemic" noted Ms. Kotoric.
Contact:
Tajma Kotoric
732-940-9000, ext. 303
TKotoric@njosteo.com
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SOURCE New Jersey Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons
