The only doctor in the Senate opposes drug monitoring program

Intro:	A bill adding a prescription drug monitoring program to the state met strong opposition from the only doctor in the Senate.
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OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Senator Kevin Engler sponsors this bill implementing a monitoring program over narcotic prescriptions.

He says he proposed this legislation because people are dying from prescription drug use.

Actuality:	ENGLER2.WAV
Run Time:	00:10
Description: "It covers drugs like oxycotin, demerol, vicodin, valium. A lot of the drugs that are most abused in Missouri."

Senator Rob Schaaf who is a doctor says he will fight against this bill.

Actuality:	SCHAAF4.WAV
Run Time:	00:03
Description: "This is a terrible infringment upon liberty."

He says this drug monitoring program won't only monitor the drugs criminals are taking, but also innocent people.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Stacey Kafka.

Intro:	A bill implementing a prescription drug monitoring program in the state met strong opposition from the only doctor in the Senate.
RunTime:	0:35
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: This bill would create a database to see if patients are doctor shopping.

Those who abuse narcotics often go to a number of doctors to get their prescriptions.

Senator Kevin Engler sponsors the bill.

He says prescription drug abuse is a major problem in the state.

Actuality:	ENGLER3.WAV
Run Time:	00:08
Description: "Forty one hundred drug related hospital visits in the past two years over this...4100."

Senator Rob Schaaf is a doctor. He says this program won't prevent any of these hospital visits.

Actuality:	SCHAAF5.WAV
Run Time:	00:03
Description: "This bill isn't going to stop idiots from doing that. They're not going to stop."

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Stacey Kafka.

Intro:	A bill to prevent doctor shopping met strong opposition from the only doctor in the Senate.
RunTime:	0:31
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: This bill would create a database to regulate how many narcotics are prescribed to patients.

Senator Kevin Engler sponsors the bill.

He says a bill like this is necessary to save lives.

Actuality:	ENGLER1.WAV
Run Time:	00:06
Description: "The lack of this bill is killing people in the state of Missouri. It's killing people. There's no other way to say it."

Senator Rob Schaaf says this bill won't prevent people getting narcotics.

Actuality:	SCHAAF6.WAV
Run Time:	00:07
Description: "People won't use a fake ID and go and get the drugs. That they won't get the drugs by stealing them.. or."

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Stacey Kafka.