2. Within the amounts appropriated, the commissioner, in consultation with the commissioner of the office of alcoholism and substance abuse services, shall:

1. (a) Develop and conduct a public health education media campaign designed to alert youth, parents and the general population about the risks associated with prescription pain medications and the need to properly dispose of any unused medication. In developing this campaign, the commissioner shall consult with and use information provided by the work group established pursuant to subdivision (b) of this section and other relevant professional organizations. The campaign shall include an internet website providing information for parents, children and health care professionals on the risks associated with taking opioids and resources available to those needing assistance with prescription pain medication addiction. Such website shall also provide information regarding where individuals may properly dispose of controlled substances in their community and include active links to further information and resources. The campaign shall begin no later than September first, two thousand twelve.

2. (b) Establish a work group, no later than June first, two thousand twelve, which shall be composed of experts in the fields of palliative and chronic care pain management and addiction medicine. Members of the work group shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed actual and necessary expenses in the performance of their duties pursuant to this section. The work group shall:

   1. (i) Report to the commissioner regarding the development of recommendations and model courses for continuing medical education, refresher courses and other training materials for licensed health care professionals on appropriate use of prescription pain medication. Such recommendations, model courses and other training materials shall be submitted to the commissioner, who shall make such information available for the use in medical education, residency programs, fellowship programs, and for use in continuing medication education programs no later than January first, two thousand thirteen. Such recommendations also shall include recommendations on: (A) educational and continuing medical education requirements for practitioners appropriate to address prescription pain medication awareness among health care professionals; (B) continuing education requirements for pharmacists related to prescription pain medication awareness; and (C) continuing education in palliative care as it relates to pain management, for which purpose the work group shall consult the New York state palliative care education and training council;
   2. (ii) No later than January first, two thousand thirteen, provide outreach and assistance to health care professional organizations to encourage and facilitate continuing medical education training programs for their members regarding appropriate prescribing practices for the best patient care and the risks associated with overprescribing and underprescribing pain medication;
   3. (iii) Provide information to the commissioner for use in the development and continued update of the public awareness campaign, including information, resources, and active web links that should be included on the website; and
   4. (iv) Consider other issues deemed relevant by the commissioner, including how to protect and promote the access of patients with a legitimate need for controlled substances, particularly medications needed for pain management by oncology patients, and whether and how to encourage or require the use or substitution of opioid drugs that employ tamper-resistance technology as a mechanism for reducing abuse and diversion of opioid drugs.