From the Executive Director by Kevin Rich, DPh

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer; kids out of school,

swimming pools, gardens, fresh vegetables, and summer

vacations. I hope everyone stays safe during this busy time of the

year. Always take time for yourself and stay healthy, both mentally

and physically. If you are a pharmacist or student pharmacist

suffering from chemical dependency or other mental health issue

or you know a pharmacist or student pharmacist suffering, please

call OPHP immediately, help is readily available. I have included

in this issue of “Prescription” an impaired symptom inventory list

for your information/reference.

In this issue of “Prescription” Tom House of Partnership for

Professional Wellness (PPW), Prospect, KY who administers

OPHP’s drug screens that enhances OPHP’s credibility, has

written an article “Trading Addictions”. I consider Tom an expert

in the field of drug detection, screening and compliance. An

individual recovering from addiction must remain vigilant in

working a program of recovery. Often individuals new in recovery

have a lack of understanding why alcohol is prohibited even if

their drug of choice was opiates/benzodiazepine, amphetamine,

etc. and vice versa. Trading addiction or cross addiction can occur in an individual with some

time in recovery if they fail to remain vigilant in recovery. Keep in mind some can trade

addictions with non-drug behavior such as: shopping, food, sex, or codependency. I would like

to thank Tom for this informative article.

What is codependency and it’s prevalence in our culture? Enterhealth, a Dallas based treatment

center has contributed an article “Who is Codependent” for our readers. This article is a great

resource and provides information about codependency and how it is treated. I would like to

thank Enterhealth for this article.

The 28th Annual Southwest Pharmacist Recovery Network (SWPRN) Meeting will be held this

year, September 18-20, 2015 at The Omni Hotel, Corpus Christi, Texas. A great agenda is in

place with many great speakers addressing: chemical dependency in the pharmacy profession,

personal recovery, recovery practices, co-dependency and more, for a total of nine (9) hours of

continuing education. I hope you will plan to join us in September in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Agenda and registration for this meeting are available on the SWPRN web site at

www.swprn.org click on events. A brochure for this upcoming SWPRN meeting will be mailed

in June or July 2015. If you have questions or need more information don’t hesitate to contact

me at 405-557-5773. I hope to see you in September in Corpus Christi, Texas.

I encourage any pharmacist or student pharmacist that may be struggling with chemical

dependency or other mental health issues, or if you know a pharmacist or student pharmacist

you think may be struggling to call:

OPHP HELPLINE

1-800-260-7574 x 5773 (statewide)

405-557-5773 (local)

All calls are confidential and OPHP is readily available for help.

I assure you it is the best thing you could do for a family member, friend, or colleague or

yourself. If there is no legal action the pharmacist or student pharmacist could get the help and

treatment they need for their disease and remain anonymous to the Oklahoma State Board of

Pharmacy as long as they comply with the recovery recommendations of OPHP.

If you haven’t already contributed to OPHP this year, please consider making a tax-deductible

contribution. You may use the form available in this newsletter or click here.

Our address to send the contribution:

OPHP * PO Box 5203 * Edmond OK 73083

or you may fax credit card information to 405-557-5732