dr. gary franklin is medical director for the state of washington's department of labor and industries. >en is the first time this even became an issue that you had noticed? >> by 2001, our claims managers were sending me cases of injured workers who had had a low back sprain and were dead three years later from an unintentional overdose of prescribed opioids. it was the saddest thing i had ever seen. >> so he took action, helping write guidelines that this year became state law. it applies to noncancer chronic pain patients. it mandates prescriber education. treatment plans called pain contracts between physicians and patients. and tracking of opioid use. >> if states don't renew laws using best practices and precautions so opioids can be used safely and effectively, this will never turn around. >> the washington state law does have its share of critics, many of whom are patients dealing with pain right now. >> i have seen her curled up in a fetal position for hours, even crying at times. >> in tacoma, washington, christie and burt, husband and wife, are both in pain. his caused by multi

dr. gary franklin is medical director for the state of washington's department of labor and industries.e this even became an issue that you had noticed? >> by 2001, our claims managers were sending me cases of injured workers who had had a low-back sprain and who were dead three years later from an unintentional overdose of prescribed opioids. it was the saddest thing i'd ever seen. >> so he took action, helping write guidelines that this year became state law. it applies to non-cancer chronic pain patients. it mandates prescriber education, treatment plans called pain contracts between physicians and patients, and tracking of opioid use. if states don't follow new laws reflecting best practices and universal precautions so opioids can be used safely and effectively, this will never turn around. >> the washington state law does have its share of critics, many of whom are patients dealing with pain right now. they are particularly concerned about one provision. it requires that if a physician wants to provide a daily dose of an opiate above a certain amount, he or she must first consult