The Senate passed the Prescription Drug Monitoring Act

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Intro:	Missouri is one step closer to using a database to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of narcotic-type drugs.
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Wrap: The Senate passed a bill that would require dispensors to send some prescription information to the State Data Center.

Senator Tom Dempsey says the measure would make Missouri a safer state.

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Description: I think where it's really going to make a difference are those drugs that are related to pain management which are highly addictive and in many cases are combined with other narcotics leading to deaths.

Several senators expressed concerns about violating privacy.

Senator Will Kraus says he doesn't think it's right to take personal information from individuals who have done nothing wrong.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Krista Gmelich.

Intro:	The Senate passed a bill that would make Missouri the final state to establish a prescription drug monitoring program.
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Wrap: Senator Will Kraus and several others voiced concerns about the constitutionality of collecting such information.

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Description: I understand the desire of the body to move a bill that's going to protect the citizens. But for me, I think that whenever you take an innocent person's information and put it in a database, that just takes away their liberty, that takes away their freedoms.

The bill would require dispensors to send prescription information for some controlled substances to the State Data Center.

Senator Tom Dempsey said the intention behind the bill is to make Missouri a safer state.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Krista Gmelich.

Intro:	The Missouri Senate voted to have Missouri establish a state prescription drug monitoring program.
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Wrap: Republican Senator David Sater sponsored the bill.

He says there is an increasing problem with drug abuse among teenagers.

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Description: It's a major problem for the abusers and also for our kids. And we have a growing problem with opiate abuse in our teenage population also.

But Senator Ed Emery says the measure is unconstitutional.

The bill would require dispensors to send some prescription information to the State Data Center.

And the state would be able to notify law enforcement if it appears the law is being violated.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Krista Gmelich.

Intro:	The Senate passed a bill that would allow the government use a database to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of some controlled substances.
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Wrap: Missouri would be the final state to establish a statewide prescription drug monitoring program.

Among those who oppose the bill is Republican Senator Ed Emery.

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Description: I took an oath to the Constitution. I still believe this is an unconstitutional provision and so I still, regardless of the work that's been done to try to avoid the pitfalls of the other states, I still believe we as a body should reject it.

The bill would require dispensors to send prescription information for narcotic-type drugs to the State Data Center.

Those in favor of the bill say it would make Missouri a safer state.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Krista Gmelich.