Preventing Future Addiction: Algorithms and PDMPs

Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMP) add value to both law enforcement and dispensers. California maintains the Controlled Substances Utilization and Review Evaluation System (CURES) as one method to mitigate harms caused by opioids. Use of this system by physicians has been shown to decrease their writing of opioid medication prescriptions, potentially reducing the number of fatal overdoses of both Rx opioids and heroin. A pharmacist and a detective discuss how to predict addiction, and how to prevent it.