“As an association representing more than 72,000 leaders in health care, the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists applauds the President’s call for $1.1 billion investment in addressing prescription opioid abuse and heroin use.
“We are especially pleased that the President’s budget has dedicated $500 million to expand state-level prescription drug overdose prevention strategies, increase the availability of medication-assisted treatment programs, improve access to the overdose-reversal drug naloxone, and support targeted enforcement activities.
“Clinical nurse specialists (CNS) are leaders in health care, at the bedside and beyond. CNSs are often witness first-hand the heartbreaking toll opioid and prescription drug abuse has on too many patients and families.
“While it’s important to examine the issue of opioid abuse, we must be sure that health care providers and patients don’t turn away from these important prescription drugs altogether or stigmatize patients who are prescribed opioids for chronic pain. Pain is one of the primary reasons individuals see their health care provider, and it is important that we deal with each person’s pain effectively.”
Peggy Barksdale, MSN, RN, OCNS-C, CNS-BC is the President of the 2015-2016 NACNS Board of Directors.