How Missouri became 'America's drug store'

As the only state refusing to implement a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), Missouri has become a magnet for drug seekers, according to The New York Times. PDMPs flag overprescribing providers and patients who fill many prescriptions for addictive drugs. These programs are tools used against addiction, health insurance fraud and pill mills. Opponents of a Missouri PDMP--led by state Sen. Robert Schaaf (R), M.D.--cite its risks of privacy and security breaches. "If they [addicts] overdose and kill themselves," Schaaf said, "it just removes them from the gene pool." But emergency physician Douglas Char, M.D., disagrees. "Welcome to Missouri--America's drug store," Char told The Times. "We aren't just allowing abuse, we've created a business model for dealers." Article