After losing her precious daughter, Tammie Armato, in 2005 due to an accidental prescription narcotic overdose, Dottie Whitaker created "Project Tammie" to put an end to prescription narcotic drug abuse. (Click here to read Tammie's story.)
Ms. Whitaker believes a nationwide Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) would reduce the number of people addicted to prescription narcotic drugs, and ultimately save lives.
Although many states currently have them, Ms. Whitaker is working tirelessly to get a bill passed that would require ALL states to set up PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAMS (PMP).
A PMP would require practitioners to run the PMP Report and review it for any signs of substance abuse BEFORE prescribing or dispensing NARCOTIC drugs to a patient.
A Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) report clearly shows the patient's narcotic drug history, including patient's name, prescribing physician(s), pharmacy(ies), date(s), TYPE(S) OF NARCOTIC(S), strength(s) and quantity(ies). The report is very simple to read; anyone (not just practitioners) could read and understand it. This would put an end to "doctor shopping" for narcotic drugs.
By definition a "narcotic" is an addictive drug that reduces pain, alters mood and behavior, and can induce sleep or stupor. Natural and synthetic narcotics are used in medicine to control pain.
If this bill is passed:
EVERY STATE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SET UP A PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM. Grants are available to do so. Many states currently already have some form of this program in place.
A PRACTITIONER WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RUN THE PATIENT'S PRESCRIPTION MONITORING REPORT AND REVIEW IT FOR SIGNS OF ABUSE BEFORE PRESCRIBING OR DISPENSING ANY NARCOTIC DRUG. (This simple step could save many lives).
Had this program been in place in 2005, Ms. Whitaker's daughter would be alive today.
Did you know...
More people die from PRESCRIPTION DRUG OVERDOSE than from illegal drugs, and;
Three out of five people in rehab are there for prescription drugs.
Let's CHANGE these statistics and start saving lives by getting these important laws passed!
How can YOU help?
There are many ways:
1. Sign our petition. www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/111500649 PLEASE NOTE: We've been having some problems with some signatures not showing up, so please check the petition web page after you've signed to make sure your signature was added. A lot of people sharing computers in the same household are having this problem. Even though you may receive a "thank you for signing" confirmation e-mail, that does NOT necessarily mean your signature was added, so PLEASE check back at the petition web page. If your signature does not show up, PLEASE contact the petition site at www.care2.com/help/support and let them know. Thank you.
2. Click here to locate and contact your state's Members of Congress and let them know you agree with and support Project Tammie.
Let Members of Congress know you support Project Tammie AND and ask them to let Congresswoman Dina Titus know they support it too and will back a bill.
Once at the site, click on your state to find your state's Senators and Representatives. From there, you'll find their contact info to call, fax, write and/or e-mail them.
3. Tell everyone you know about this web site. If you have a web site or message board, please post a link to this site too.
For more information on prescription drug addiction, please contact:
New! --- June 7, 2007 ---
Click here to view the actual bill (in PDF format) that was signed by Governor Gibbons on June 1, 2007. I am now pushing for it at a Federal Level.
Left to right: Assemblyman Mo Denis, Dottie Whitaker, and
Governor of Nevada Jim Gibbons at the signing of Tammie's bill.
--- May 30, 2007 ---
GREAT NEWS! Project Tammie passed in the State of Nevada as AB446. It is on it's way to be signed by the Governor.
--- May 18, 2007 ---
I testified a second time before our State Senate. It passed out of that committee; now we are waiting on a final vote. Then all we need is the Governor's signature.
--- April 11, 2007 ---
My testimony against prescription drug abuse before State Legislatures was featured on our local news (Las Vegas, Channel 8: KLAS) Watch the Video Clip
--- March 28, 2007 ---
On April 2nd, I am speaking at a Rollout Campaign with Congressman Jon Porter in Las Vegas about Project Tammie and the effects of these dangerous PRESCRIPTION DRUGS on families and lives. On April 11th, I am going to Carson City, Nevada to testify before our State Legislatures on a bill to get Project Tammie started in Nevada. I am sure both will be televised. I am really nervous but will do it for TAMMIE and others who it may save.
--- December 20, 2006 ---
Project Tammie is moving forward in California and Nevada; it is slated to be heard by the Nevada Legislatures in 2007, hopefully February. It is listed on their BILL DRAFT REQUEST LIST as BDR# 928 for the 2007 SESSION; it "revises provisions relating to the tracking of prescription for controlled substances."
--- August 31, 2006 ---
I got a call from Senator John Ensign's office (Nevada) who also supports these efforts.
--- June 15, 2006 ---
Congressman Jon Porter is trying to add an amendment to Bill HR1132, stating that any state using grant money to start or update their Prescription Monitoring Program must also require physicians to use the report and check the patient's drug use history and conduct a review of the history before prescribing a NARCOTIC drug.
--- May 2, 2006 ---
The House passed bill HR1132, which is granting money to every State to get the PRESCRIPTION MONITORING PROGRAM up and running. The States that currently have the PMP will be given grants to update their systems. HR1132 goes before Senate this week and is expected to pass. (Although there are no requirements in this bill to require this program to be used before prescribing NARCOTICS, it is a step in the right direction.) I will continue my efforts to make this report a requirement for Narcotic Prescriptions.
--- March 18, 2006 ---
I traveled to Washington DC and met with Congressman Jon Porter and his Legislative Assistant on March 15, 2006. We have a few legal roadblocks but we think we can work around it to make some needed changes with Prescription Narcotics. It may have to happen at the Pharmacy level instead of the Doctor, but that will work too.
--- February 14, 2006 ---
Today I met with a Regional Rep and a Legislative Asst. from Congressman Jon Porter's office. The meeting went extremely well; they had a lot of interest and asked a lot of good questions. I believe at some point a bill will be written in some form.
--- February 2, 2006 ---
Today I went before the Nevada State Legislators with Project Tammie. Hopefully we will move forward.
--- January 11, 2006 ---
Today I met with a Health Care Representative for Senator Harry Reid. The meeting went very well. I am very excited to announce we will be moving to the next step with Project Tammie.
