State Senator Dave Burke recently received the United Conservatives of Ohio's "Watchdog of the Treasury" Award for his dedication to fiscal restraint during the 129th General Assembly.

State Senator Dave Burke is commending the Ohio Attorney General's Office on the announcement of their newly-established Ohio Prescription Drug Box Program.  Partnering with the Ohio Department of Health and the Drug Free Action Alliance, this initiative will help continue the fight against prescription drug abuse by allowing residents to deposit unwanted, expired or unused prescription drugs at drop boxes at local law enforcement agencies.

Senators Dave Burke and Bill Seitz received the Ohio Psychological Association's (OPA) Public Service Award on Wednesday, May 23 during the organization's annual Legislative Day. The award is reserved for special recognition of individuals who make a significant contribution to improving health care and access to health care in Ohio.

More than 600 million prescription drug doses were issued in 2011 - an increase of 150 million doses since 2007. The Ohio Senate today approved legislation that builds upon earlier efforts to combat prescription drug abuse by strengthening the ability of state officials to oversee pain management clinics and weed out unscrupulous providers.

State Senator Dave Burke received the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio's 2012 Legislator of the Year Award.  The award was presented today at NAMI Ohio's statewide conference entitled, "The Great Mental Health Debate" at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus.

State Senator Dave Burke, who owns and operates a pharmacy in Marysville in addition to his legislative duties, recently spoke to a group of pharmacy students at The Ohio State University.

Prescription drug abuse has become the number one cause of injury death in Ohio, with more than 1,400 deaths in 2009. Since the enactment of House Bill 93 last year, more than a dozen pills mills have already been shut down in Ohio. Following the passage of legislation last year that addressed the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in Ohio, State Senator Dave Burke recently urged his colleagues to support a new bill that builds on efforts to improve patient safety.

Ohio Governor John Kasich today signed House Bill 20 into law. Sponsored by State Senator Dave Burke while he was a member of the Ohio House, the bill helps better protect witnesses of criminal activity from intimidation.

Guest column by State Senator Dave Burke

State Senator Dave Burke today announced that the Ohio Association of Career Colleges and Schools is now taking applications for its 2011-2012 Legislative Scholarship Program.