Opioid Overdose–An American Epidemic

Nineteen eighty-six was a pivotal year for prescription opioids. The publication of a scientific paper and the subsequent events resulted in a major cultural change regarding how our society viewed the role of opioids in the treatment of pain, specifically chronic, non-cancer related pain. However, as time progressed it became evident that the marked increase in the use of opioids was resulting in an increase in addiction and in overdose deaths–two major problems we face today.
This presentation will trace the history of the major events that led to this situation and focus on prevention of the following: unnecessary prescription of opioids, inappropriate use once they are prescribed, and life threatening consequences for those who take them.