(1) As used in this section: (a) "Hospice" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26-21-2. (b) "Initial opiate prescription" means a prescription for an opiate to a patient who: (i) has never previously been issued a prescription for an opiate; or (ii) was previously issued a prescription for an opiate, but the date on which the current prescription is being issued is more than one year after the date on which an opiate was previously prescribed or administered to the patient. (c) "Prescriber" means an individual authorized to prescribe a controlled substance under this chapter.

(a) "Hospice" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26-21-2.

(b) "Initial opiate prescription" means a prescription for an opiate to a patient who: (i) has never previously been issued a prescription for an opiate; or (ii) was previously issued a prescription for an opiate, but the date on which the current prescription is being issued is more than one year after the date on which an opiate was previously prescribed or administered to the patient.

(i) has never previously been issued a prescription for an opiate; or

(ii) was previously issued a prescription for an opiate, but the date on which the current prescription is being issued is more than one year after the date on which an opiate was previously prescribed or administered to the patient.

(c) "Prescriber" means an individual authorized to prescribe a controlled substance under this chapter.

(2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a prescriber may not issue an initial opiate prescription without discussing with the patient, or the patient's parent or guardian if the patient is under 18 years of age and is not an emancipated minor: (a) the risks of addiction and overdose associated with opiate drugs; (b) the dangers of taking opiates with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other central nervous system depressants; (c) the reasons why the prescription is necessary; (d) alternative treatments that may be available; and (e) other risks associated with the use of the drugs being prescribed.

(a) the risks of addiction and overdose associated with opiate drugs;

(b) the dangers of taking opiates with alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other central nervous system depressants;

(c) the reasons why the prescription is necessary;

(d) alternative treatments that may be available; and

(e) other risks associated with the use of the drugs being prescribed.

(3) This section does not apply to a prescription for: (a) a patient who is currently in active treatment for cancer; (b) a patient who is receiving hospice care from a licensed hospice; or (c) a medication that is being prescribed to a patient for the treatment of the patient's substance abuse or opiate dependence.

(a) a patient who is currently in active treatment for cancer;

(b) a patient who is receiving hospice care from a licensed hospice; or

(c) a medication that is being prescribed to a patient for the treatment of the patient's substance abuse or opiate dependence.