NC Sheriffs Want Access to Prescription Database

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina sheriffs want access to state computer records that identify people with prescriptions for certain drugs, an idea that patient advocates oppose.

The state sheriff's association proposed the idea Tuesday to a legislative health care committee, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported. The sheriffs said they want access to state computer records identifying anyone with prescriptions for powerful painkillers and other controlled substances.

"We can better go after those who are abusing the system," said Lee County Sheriff Tracy Carter.

More people in their counties die of accidental overdoses than from homicides, the sheriffs said.

The state began a computer database in 2007 to help doctors identify patients who go from doctor to doctor looking for prescription drugs they may not need and to keep pharmacists from supplying patients with too many pills.