IJIS Institute Partners with Alliance of States with Prescription Monitoring Programs

Ashburn, VA, September 02, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The IJIS Institute, a nonprofit organization that focuses on mission-critical information sharing for justice, public safety, and homeland security, welcomes the Alliance of States with Prescription Monitoring Programs (ASPMP) as its Alliance Partner.

ASPMP was formed in 1990 to provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas among state and federal agencies on prescription monitoring programs. Since then, it has grown to be a valuable resource to all those concerned with combating the increase in prescription drug abuse, misuse and diversion. Currently, 43 states and 1 territory either have operating Prescription Monitoring Programs (PMPs), or have passed legislation to implement them.

ASPMP offers its expertise to PMPs by:
- Supporting the establishment, operation and enhancement of PMPs;
- Enhancing drug abuse intervention and prevention programs through information exchange;
- Conducting research on and providing training in the use of prescription controlled substances to protect public health and safety; and
- Developing guidance documents, such as the Model Prescription Monitoring Program Act, to help states develop and operate their PMPs.

The IJIS Institute relies heavily on partnerships with key practitioner organizations, national associations, other nonprofit organizations, and universities in its effort to harness the expertise of industry in working toward improved information sharing between organizations involved in justice, public safety, and homeland security. The members of the IJIS Institute’s Alliance Partner program are organizations that share the belief that information sharing is a national priority and the conviction to work together in partnerships to address this national need.

Paul Wormeli, executive director of the IJIS Institute, noted, “The IJIS Institute has done important work in the area of prescription monitoring programs through grant funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The PMP Interstate Information Exchange program provides the capability to enable interstate exchange of data on dispensed controlled substance prescriptions. This capability allows participating state PMPs and the prescribers they serve to ‘connect the dots’ and detect doctor-shopping across multiple states to avoid triggering dispensing thresholds. With such a commonality of purpose between the IJIS Institute’s prescription monitoring program activities and ASPMP it made perfect sense to align ourselves and work collaboratively on this important social issue impacting our communities nationwide.”

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About the IJIS Institute—The IJIS Institute unites the private and public sectors to improve critical information sharing for those who protect and serve our communities. The IJIS Institute provides training, technology assistance, national scope issue management, and program management services to help government fully realize the power of information sharing. Founded in 2001 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with national headquarters on The George Washington University Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Virginia, the IJIS Institute has grown to more than 300 member and affiliate companies across the United States. For more information visit www.IJIS.org.