Injured workers would be limited in the amount of opioids they could receive under rules being considered by the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
Commission Chairman Charlton Allen said at a news conference Wednesday he thinks new rules are needed, based on a recent study of workers compensation claims by injured workers and opioid-related deaths.
Allen said the study found that more than 800 people on workers’ comp died of an overdose over about four years. He did say it’s not known whether or how pain medication prescriptions contributed to the deaths.
The commission is considering nine rules to limit the number of opioid prescriptions a person could receive. It would also encourage alternative treatments such as physical therapy and massage.
The new rules could go into effect in May.
Opioid limits should be combined with medical marijuana legalization.
https://drugabuse.com/legalizing-marijuana-decreases-fatal-opiate-overdoses/