There was an important article published recently by the L.A. Times about the dangers of prescription painkillers and the possibility of accidental overdose leading to death.
Dying for Relief | A Times Investigation
Legal drugs, deadly outcomes
A few statistics to consider:
Though less than 5% of the world’s population, the United States uses 80% of the world’s painkillers.
We are seeing an unprecedented number of deaths caused from accidental overdose of prescription medications. Many of these deaths occur in a span of three years or less from initial prescription to death. Some in the medical field are calling this a “plague” or an “epidemic.”
We are seeing a huge increase in the number of people seeking treatment for prescription medication abuse — and seeing people die who are too ashamed to seek treatment because they cannot believe they are “dependent” or “addicts.”
Please follow the news and ask a lot of questions any time you are prescribed any medication. Know what you can take it with and what you cannot. There are legitimate medical uses for prescription pain medications — and if not used properly, these drugs can kill. Be informed and be careful.