![Swanson Recommends Policy Changes On Opioid Prescriptions](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2014/01/Lori-Swanson.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Swanson Recommends Policy Changes On Opioid Prescriptions
ST. PAUL (AP) - Attorney General Lori Swanson is recommending some changes to the way drugs are prescribed in Minnesota in hopes of reducing the number of deaths from prescription painkillers.
Swanson issued her recommendations Wednesday, as her office issued a report on the growing opioid problem.
Among her recommendations, Swanson says doctors should be required to review a patient's history in the state's prescription drug monitoring program before prescribing controlled substances.
She also says prescriptions for controlled substances should be valid for only 30 days, not the current duration of a year, to reduce the time for potential abuse.
She also recommends that a drug known to reverse an opioid overdose should be available without a prescription. And, she is calling for expanded access to drug treatment in rural areas.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Get Ready For Change: Minnesota Introduces Area Code 924 Overlay](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-NewAreaCode.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MSP Ranked Top U.S. Airport in 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-MAC_MSP-Airport_Terminal-1_Delta_6x4_200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Riding High: Amtrak Borealis Trains Impress In First Month](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-AmtrakBorealis-AmtrakHandoutPhoto.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![90s Possible in Minnesota this Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2021/07/attachment-RS45164_GettyImages-1150050227-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)