Miles to Go Before I Sleep

Yesterday marked the eighth anniversary of Heath Ledger's death from an accidental prescription drug overdose. Eight years isn't some kind of anniversary milestone, and I wasn't a rabid fan, so why mention it?

Because the number of opioid overdoses in the last few years has reached epidemic proportions and should be addressed.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include illicit drugs such as heroin as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone, codeine, morphine, and fentanyl. Opioids work with pain receptors in the brain to numb pain and create pleasurable effects. Heroin is said to be one of the most addictive street drugs available; according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, 23% of people who try heroin become addicted. But prescription drugs in this class can be almost as addictive, and therein lies the problem.

There are many legitimate reasons for a person to need pain killers, legitimate reasons for doctors to prescribe them. But as with all addictive drugs, if used continually, the dose becomes "not enough." The patient needs more to kill the pain. And more and more. According to cdc.gov, "Opioids (including prescription painkillers) killed more than 33,000 people in 2015, more than any year on record. Nearly half of all opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid." Every day, 91 Americans die from an overdose of either a prescription opioid or heroin. And more than half of all drug overdose deaths involve an opioid (as opposed to cocaine or some other drug).

What can we do about it? Make all opioids illegal? No, because opioids have their legitimate uses. But we can reduce the exposure to them, prevent abuse, and expand treatment options for addiction.

Learn more about opioid use and how to protect your family. If you live in NEPA, consider attending the talk to be held at Peckville Assembly of God Church on March 8.

Learn the signs of an overdose.

Talk to your doctor about alternatives to manage your pain.

If you or someone you know has an addiction, seek help!

Just because heroin prescription pain killers are the hardest addictions to break doesn't mean it's impossible!