Ameritox to Explore Implications of Legal Marijuana and the Illicit Drug's Connection to Pain Medication Abuse at the National Rx Drug Abuse Summit

BALTIMORE, April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameritox^SM, the nation's leader in medication monitoring solutions, will host a panel discussion at the 2014 National Rx Drug Abuse Summit in Atlanta on the relationship between marijuana use and the growing problem of prescription pain medication abuse in the U.S.

The discussion, titled "Mixing Medicine and Marijuana," will examine the potential consequences of increased access to marijuana for medicinal or recreational use as the U.S. battles a prescription drug abuse epidemic. Twenty states and the District of Columbia have passed laws legalizing marijuana in some form, with eight of those states passing laws in the last four years.

"Studies have shown that marijuana use is associated with the abuse of prescription medications and other illicit drugs," said Michael DeGeorge, Associate Director of Medical Affairs for Ameritox and a panelist on the upcoming discussion. "We need to closely examine how medication monitoring can shed light on this trend as access to marijuana increases."

DeGeorge conducts research at Ameritox and helps clinicians integrate urine drug monitoring into their practices. He co-authored "Is Marijuana Use Associated With Non-adherence To Opioid Therapy – Insights Gained From Urine Drug Monitoring" for the April 2014 issue of Practical Pain Management magazine.

The discussion will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22. The National Rx Drug Abuse Summit takes place April 22 through 24 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and brings together stakeholders from government agencies and the education and health care fields to identify ways to combat prescription drug abuse.

The presenters will provide an outline of laws and regulations related to marijuana in the U.S. and offer background information about the dangers of combining prescription medications and marijuana. The panel also consists of Scott Yasko, National Account Executive for PRIUM, an Ameritox company focused on curbing prescription opioid fraud, misuse and abuse in workers' compensation; and Rachel Brozina, an attorney focused on workers' compensation case law and a partner at Lester, Norton & Brozina, P.C. in Phoenix, Arizona.

For more information about the discussion or the Summit, please visit: http://nationalrxdrugabusesummit.org.

About Ameritox
Ameritox helped pioneer the prescription drug monitoring necessary to address the national epidemic of prescription drug misuse, abuse, and diversion. As the nation's trusted leader in Pain Medication Monitoring Solutions^SM, Ameritox provides medical and business professionals with data-driven analysis and tailored solutions that can improve patient care and prevent tragedy. Ameritox, headquartered in Baltimore, Md., has 800 employees nationwide and laboratory facilities in Greensboro, N.C.

Visit the Ameritox website at: www.ameritox.com  
Follow Ameritox on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ameritox 
Watch Ameritox on YouTube: www.youtube.com/ameritox

About PRIUM 
An Ameritox solutions provider, PRIUM sets the industry standard for workers' compensation medical interventions through its ability to secure higher agreement rates and to help ensure compliance with modified treatment plans. The hallmark of the medical intervention company's success is a collaborative physician engagement process encompassing evidence-based medicine, clinical oversight, and jurisdictional guidelines to facilitate optimal financial and clinical outcomes. PRIUM helps eliminate unnecessary treatment through a comprehensive approach that includes complex medical interventions, utilization reviews, urine drug monitoring, and independent medical exams. Based in Duluth, Ga., PRIUM can be reached at prium.com or 888.588.4964.

Website: www.prium.com 
Twitter: @PRIUM1  
Blog: www.priumevidencebased.com  
linkedin.com/in/markpew

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SOURCE Ameritox

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