The new White Paper reports that CASA researchers found a total of 365 Websites advertising or selling controlled prescription drugs during 210 hoursof research in the first quarter of 2008, compared to 581 sites during thesame period in 2007. Only two of the 365 sites were certified by theNational Association of Boards of Pharmacy as Verified Internet PharmacyPractice Sites(TM), the same number found certified in 2007.

The CASA report identified an emerging practice of Internet sites sellingprescriptions for controlled drugs that can be filled at local pharmacies.The report also found sites selling online "medical consultations" whichenable Internet users to get controlled drugs online without a properprescription.

"This decline in the number of Web sites advertising or selling controlledprescription drugs may reflect efforts of federal and state agencies andfinancial institutions to crack down on Internet drug trafficking.Nevertheless, in spite of those efforts, anyone of any age can obtaindangerous and addictive prescription drugs with the click of a mouse," saidJoseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA's Chairman and President and former U.S.Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. "This problem is not goingaway. It is morphing into different outlets for controlled prescriptiondrug trafficking like Internet script mills and membership sites that selllists of online pharmacies, and different payment methods like eChecks, CODand money orders."

Of those sites not requiring prescriptions, 42 percent explicitly statedthat no prescription was needed, 45 percent offered an "onlineconsultation," and 13 percent made no mention of a prescription.

Other notable findings:



-- Of the few sites that require prescriptions, half permit the prescription to be faxed, allowing significant opportunity for fraud.-- Benzodiazepines (like Xanax and Valium) continue to be the most frequently offered drugs for sale with 90 percent of sites selling them; followed by opioids (like Vicodin and OxyContin) at 57 percent of sites, and stimulants (like Ritalin and Adderall) at 27 percent of sites.-- According to DEA estimates, in 2007 eleven percent of prescriptions filled by traditional pharmacies were for controlled substances compared to 80 percent of prescriptions filled by Internet pharmacies.-- There are no controls blocking access to these sites by children and teens.

Last year, the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Patrick Leahy(D-VT), held hearings on "The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy ConsumerProtection Act of 2008" to control Internet trafficking of controlledprescription drugs which was introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)and Jeff Sessions (R-AL). The Senate passed the bill in April of 2008.The Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security of the HouseJudiciary Committee held a hearing on the topic last month.

"We congratulate the Senate, and urge the House to take prompt action andthe President to sign the bill into law," said Califano. "Further delayscannot be justified since these rogue Internet sites put a drug dealer inany home or college dorm room with a computer or laptop."

Califano also applauded federal and state actions to reduce trafficking andMasterCard, Visa, American Express and PayPal for their efforts to shutdown illegal access to these drugs using their payment mechanisms.

The CASA report includes recommendations that:



-- Internet search engines block all advertisements for controlled prescription drugs that do not come from licensed and certified online pharmacies.-- The U.S. negotiate treaties with foreign governments to help shut down Internet trafficking of controlled prescription drugs.

CASA is the only national organization that brings together under one roofall the professional disciplines needed to study and combat all types ofsubstance abuse as they affect all aspects of society. CASA has issued 68reports and white papers, published one book, conducted demonstrationprojects focused on children, families and schools at 219 sites in 85cities and counties in 33 states plus Washington, DC and two NativeAmerican tribal reservations, and has been evaluating the effectiveness ofdrug and alcohol treatment in a variety of programs and drug courts. CASAis the creator of the nationwide initiative "Family Day - A Day to EatDinner with Your Children(TM)" -- the fourth Monday in September -- the22nd in 2008 -- that promotes parental engagement as a simple and effectiveway to reduce children's risk of smoking, drinking and using illegal drugs.In May of 2007, CASA Chairman Joseph A. Califano, Jr. called for afundamental shift in the nation's attitude about substance abuse andaddiction with the publication of his book, "HIGH SOCIETY: How SubstanceAbuse Ravages America and What to Do About It." For more information visitwww.casacolumbia.org.

*The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at ColumbiaUniversity is neither affiliated with, nor sponsored by, the National CourtAppointed Special Advocate Association (also known as "CASA") or any of itsmember organizations, or any other organizations with the name of "CASA."

Contacts:Lauren Duran212-841-5260lduran@casacolumbia.orgSulaiman Beg212-841-5213sbeg@casacolumbia.org