HI HB666

Limits initial prescriptions for opioids and benzodiazepines to a maximum of seven consecutive days.

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 329-38 to add new subsection (c) restricting the duration of first-time opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions.

Addresses the nationwide prescription opioid epidemic, citing that approximately 2.1 million Americans suffer from substance use disorders related to prescription opioids and nearly 20,000 died from opioid overdoses in 2014.

Aligns Hawaii with other states like New York and Massachusetts that have implemented similar limits on initial opioid prescriptions to reduce addiction, overdose, and death.

Effective July 1, 2017.