Alabama to re-schedule Xanax same level as Fentanyl in June.

http://www.wsfa.com/story/35093075/al-to-become-first-state-to-classify-xanax-as-schedule-ii-drug

MONTGOMERY CO., AL (WSFA) -

Alabama is on track to becoming the first state in the country to classify Xanax on the same level as opioids like oxycodone and fentanyl.

The Alabama Department of Public Health recently moved to reclassify Xanax as a Schedule II drug instead of a Schedule IV, at the suggestion of the Board of Medical Examiners. But, the pharmacy community say they've been left out of the conversation.

Dr. David Herrick, President of the Alabama Medical Association says the reclassification of Alprazolam, commercially known as Xanax, is going to save lives.

"Now you will not be able to get refills and you'll have to see your doctor a little more frequently to get the medication and you also can't call it in," said Dr. David Herrick, President, Medical Association of the State of Alabama.

The vocal proponent of making Xanax as a Schedule II Drug says the highly addictive anxiety medicine is a contributing factor to a significant number of overdose deaths.

"When you take a medicine like Xanax, along with something else whether its alcohol or an opioid, it magnifies it, multiplies the effect. So you don't really know how much it's going to affect you. it may affect you way more than you're hoping, it may put you to sleep forever," said Herrick.

Dr. Herrick says Alprazolam is finding its way into our schools and the streets.

"I think the medications when used appropriately are safe in general but there's always some risk and I'm not calling this a dangerous medicine I think it's a medicine that needs respect and it needs to be used more carefully because overuse is where the danger comes in," said Dr. Herrick.

Herrick admits that this creates more work for physicians and pharmacists but he says it's worth it.

"Reclassifying it makes it a little more challenging for both physicians and pharmacists. It's a little bit harder to get it, you can't casually pick up the phone as a physician and call in something for someone so it just makes it a little bit more difficult, it makes physicians think a little bit more about this medicine before they prescribe it," said Herrick.

The pharmacy community is opposed to the reclassification. Pharmacists we spoke with say they'll have to create a new prescription each time and they don't think it will cut down on abuse.

"We had a similar situation with hydrocodone Lortab going to C2, it's now Norco. It didn't have a whole lot of affect; you still see the same amount of prescriptions it just makes it more time consuming filling the prescription because you can't have refills," said Jeremy Nolan, Pharmacist, Adams Drugs.

According to the Alabama Pharmacy Association, they and the Board of Pharmacy was not consulted in this process.

"We definitely should have a say so since we're dispensing the medication, in any law making both sides should be asked their opinion on the situation," said Nolan.

The rule change will carry the maximum restriction possible and changes the way the prescription is filled.

"When you have a Schedule II drug that means you have to see the patient more frequently. You can't write more than three, one-month prescriptions, so that means at the end of three months the patient has to be reevaluated. With a Schedule IV drug you can write a years' worth of refills," said Herrick.

Barring any sort of appeal or legislative action, the reclassification goes into effect June 15.


Comments


[26 Points] None:

Thanks a lot, bartards.


[26 Points] TheDrBukkake:

Add that to the reasons why Alabama sucks


[12 Points] Udaypbuh:

Surprise this hasn't happened on a federal level. I swear I have never done a drug that caused me to lose my gf, leave my car half assed parked on a dock, and got my ass whooped by a 53 year old man all in 1 night. Oh and I didn't remember shit lmao fuck Xanax


[7 Points] None:

[deleted]


[6 Points] 90210BitchTits:

Yep, now Xanax won't even be worth flipping anymore in Alabama. Get caught with 1k pills of schedule 2 and youre probably looking at doing time. 1k of schedule 4 first offense is probably just year of felony probation. With the general age of bartards and their behavior most Xanax dealers get caught up. Some kid blacks out and ends up in jail with 50 bars in his pocket.... unless he's a true OG its a rap

I think Etizolam is scheduled in Alabama too.

GG


[5 Points] blizade:

thats completely fucked up


[3 Points] None:

[deleted]


[4 Points] FacedTaco56:

Roll Tide...


[1 Points] BYOlean:

You all say dont blame the drugs blame self control blah blah blah. Well I have tried and abused a wide range of substances, and nothing will fuck up your life in such a short amount of time as xanax will. The reason xanax is horrible is because THE DRUG takes away your sense of self control in high enough doses and inhibits you, which will make you do a wide range of crazy shit you wouldnt do sober, or under other substances. For instance, name another drug that will randomly give the user a fucking urge to steal shit while high. Fuck not even heroin or meth will do that. H and meth addicts steal because they need more H and meth. A bartard will steal because they are high on xanax, and really fucking want that snickers bar and fanta. Xanax is dangerous because people have no self control while high and that combined with inhibition is a bad combo.


[2 Points] AlpraKing:

I like my new flair.


[1 Points] plurskeleton:

So all the RC benzos will fall under the analog act in that state wont they?


[1 Points] 18_Farralon_Ave:

Alabama gave us Jeff Sessions and a creepy governor. Why else can we expect? Creeps!


[1 Points] schwillynelson89:

i remember a while back in college knowing quite a few bartard university of alabama dudes. some of the most unhinged degenerates i've ever met.


[-2 Points] None:

Good. They should. Just like they did with hydrocodone. All this means is the doctors won't be able to prescribe refills on the prescription..