BOSTON – A compromise measure to rein in the opioid abuse crisis passed unanimously in the state House of Representatives Wednesday and is expected to face a final vote in the Senate Thursday.
The measure would put limits on first-time prescriptions of synthetic opiate painkillers like oxycodone and use additional screening of students and emergency room patients for signs of addiction as part of the effort to curb the substance abuse epidemic ravaging the state. But it falls short of key features sought by Gov. Charlie Baker, by limiting initial prescriptions to a seven-day supply instead of three and leaving out giving doctors the power to involuntarily commit suspected drug addicts for up to three days.
