The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported the prescription opioid and heroin overdose epidemic to be the worst public health crisis in the state. The fact that more Pennsylvanians die from opioid overdoses than vehicle accidents is staggering. The opioid epidemic is mentioned almost every day in the news, and it makes many of us wonder if progress is being made.
The Department of Health is working with Governor Tom Wolf to provide new programs to find a solution to this devastating crisis. For example, the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program was implemented to prevent prescription drug abuse by collecting information on all filled prescriptions for controlled substances. Using this information, health care providers can safely prescribe controlled substances, while continuing to help patients get the treatment they need.
When it comes to the opioid epidemic, policymakers, health care providers and community members are coming together to do what they can to make sure this epidemic doesn’t continue for future generations.
One of the biggest things we have learned is that most addicts and those who have overdosed from opioids stole them from a close friend or family member who was prescribed the medication. If you or someone you know is a patient for pain management, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends these tips.
- Always follow prescription directions for opioid-based medications, as well as over-the-counter pain medications
- Always take opioids as prescribed. Never combine them with alcohol or anxiety medications
- Hide or lock away opioids so pets, children, or other people won’t find them
- Get rid of leftovers by taking unused opioids to a disposal unit in a pharmacy or police station
- Protect your identity by removing the label before throwing away an empty medication container