For people with chronic and reoccurring pain, opioids, such as hydrocodone and oxycodone, not only relieve suffering, but can help support a normal lifestyle, alleviate stress and improve sleep. But there is a downside – prescription opioids can be just as addictive and dangerous as illegal drugs.
Prescription drug abuse is the nation’s fastest-growing drug problem and has been classified as an epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data from the Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index™ show that positivity rates for prescription opiates increased 40 percent from 2005 – 2009 and have continued to climb each year.
The over-prescription of pain medications has not only led to an increase in opiate-abusers, but has also contributed to a rise in heroin use. Research from the National Drug Intelligence Center shows that heroin use increased 79 percent from 2007 – 2012. It appears that with the high costs associated with prescription opiates, many drug users have turned to alternative, cheaper options such as heroin.
To create awareness around these alarming statistics, Working Partners® of Columbus, Ohio has developed the new video A Dose of Reality, with the goal of enlisting American workers in recognizing and combating the prescription-drug problem. This project was funded by the Cardinal Health Foundation in collaboration with The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and CompDrug.
For more information about drug testing, visit our website.
Prescription drug abuse is the nation’s fastest-growing drug problem and has been classified as an epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data from the Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index™ show that positivity rates for prescription opiates increased 40 percent from 2005 – 2009 and have continued to climb each year.
The over-prescription of pain medications has not only led to an increase in opiate-abusers, but has also contributed to a rise in heroin use. Research from the National Drug Intelligence Center shows that heroin use increased 79 percent from 2007 – 2012. It appears that with the high costs associated with prescription opiates, many drug users have turned to alternative, cheaper options such as heroin.
To create awareness around these alarming statistics, Working Partners® of Columbus, Ohio has developed the new video A Dose of Reality, with the goal of enlisting American workers in recognizing and combating the prescription-drug problem. This project was funded by the Cardinal Health Foundation in collaboration with The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and CompDrug.
For more information about drug testing, visit our website.