This is a guest post by Joshua A. Siegel, MD on the Zero Left campaign.
Having awkward conversations with your kids is just a part of life.
But in order to educate your children about the birds and the bees and the dangers of drinking and driving, these conversations need to happen.
Surprisingly, studies have shown that parents aren’t talking about prescription medication when educating their kids about street drugs. Parents aren’t telling their children that when misused, these prescriptions can be just as dangerous.
Adam Moser was only 27-years-old when he died from a fentanyl overdose in 2015. His parents, Jim and Jeanne Moser, unfortunately never had a conversation with him about the dangers of prescription pills. “We used to keep our medicine in the kitchen,” said Jim. “And I thought, how did we miss that? Then I realized, we never absorbed that information ourselves because we just didn’t know.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 33,000 people died from an opioid overdose in 2015 which is more than any year on record. Prescription opioids account for nearly half of that amount and are most often distributed to treat severe pain after surgery. The most common brand names of opioid pills include Demerol®, OxyContin®, Percocet® Vicodin®, Percodan®, and Tylox®.
Heroin and Fentanyl
Heroin and fentanyl fall into the opioid family but are much more powerful drugs. And as we have seen in the news, abusing prescription pills can lead to addiction and possible overdose. U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) has even introduced legislation to expand opioid misuse education and prevention programs aimed at young students and student-athletes.
Sadly, the Moser family isn’t alone when it comes to dealing with the effects of the opioid epidemic. That’s why they started the Zero Left for the Medicine Cabinet campaign, also known as Zero Left. The goal is to encourage the healthcare industry to better educate patients about the dangers of prescription opioids and the proper ways to store and dispose of pills.
The Zero Left campaign notes tips on how to stay safe while taking opioids, including:
- Talk about the risks with your doctor and ask about any alternative treatments that might be available.
- Take your medication only as needed, and never more than directed by your medical professional.
- Never combine opioids with alcohol! Combining them increases the risk of overdose or death.
- If you have a history of substance use or mental illness, tell your doctor as they can increase your risks.
- Opioids can regulate breathing: In proper doses, opioids may slow breathing and relax you. But if a person takes too much, they can stop breathing entirely.
The healthcare industry also has an issue when it comes to overprescribing medication, which has encouraged the opioid epidemic to grow. Another issue is the number of pills that are first prescribed, which sets a pain level expectation for patients who might not even need to use an entire bottle of prescription pills throughout their recovery.
Opioid Prescriptions
Jim and Jeanne are hoping that physicians will reconsider the amount and frequency that they prescribe opioids, as well as take the time to talk to their patients before and after prescribing opioids. Just by asking “How many pills have you used so far?” in follow up appointments starts a conversation to inform patients about how they can correctly dispose of the pills they don’t need.
The Zero Left campaign is also developing materials for doctors to distribute to patients that are prescribed opioid medications. The materials will include information on the risks and side effects of the medication and how to safely store and dispose of pills.
The Mosers are also encouraging health care facilities throughout New Hampshire to distribute Deterra Drug Deactivation Systems for safe, proper pill disposal. Medication disposal displays will also soon be popping up at select hospitals and other designated take-back locations. The Mosers are hoping these systems eventually become a staple in every healthcare facility.
From limiting dosages to furthering patient education, to implementing pharmacogenetics and alternative pain treatments, there are many alternatives to using opioids for pain relief. But combating the opioid epidemic begins with education and awareness, something the Mosers are hoping to spread in honor of their son Adam.
For more tools and resources that can be used to educate others about the dangers of prescription medications, visit MedicineAbuseProject.org.
Joshua A. Siegel, MD is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with Subspecialty Certification in Sports Medicine and is the Sports Medicine Director of Access Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics. He is also a founding member of Northeast Surgical Care, a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center. Additionally, Dr. Siegel is a US Olympic Committee team physician, a US ski team physician and covers USGA and PGA tour events. Dr. Siegel lives with his family in Exeter, NH. He enjoys skiing, biking, golf, woodworking and spending time with his family.
Thank you for this important post and message. Greater education and regulation is needed with opioids and all prescriptions, I think. I have a family member on antidepressants and antipsychotics.
I am amazed at how the prescribing doctor inundates us with pills and refills. There seems to be no caution at all. It takes changing behaviors on both sides.
So true, Debbie, that overprescribing is a continued problem. I’m sorry to hear about your family member. That is always a tough one. I appreciate you stopping by.
So important to be aware Cathy. I find even Dentists these days are writing prescriptions for opioids. Thankfully I’ve never been able to tolerate them even at the lowest dose possible, so I’m quick to say, “No thanks” I’ll just take a regular over the counter pain killer if I need it.
Hi Elle,
Interesting that dentists are now prescribing and sometimes over prescribing opioids. Great that you don’t want or need them. It is safer to use the over the counter medications if possible.
It does continue to be a problem that opioids are being prescribed without much discussion or seemingly awareness of the problem. Most doctors and dentists mean well, but more education is so needed.
What a shock it is when a child dies so unnecessarily. This education effort is so needed. Thank you for all you are doing.
Hi Sandra,
Yes, it is shocking and devastating for families to lose their teens or young adults to an overdose. There is definitely more that we, as a country, can be doing to prevent these deaths.
Thank you so much for sharing this very important information, Cathy. As Jim Moser said, “We used to keep our medicine in the kitchen, and I thought, how did we miss that? Then I realized, we never absorbed that information ourselves because we just didn’t know.” Dr. Siegel’s information is sure to go a long way to helping with these important conversations.
Thanks Lisa for sharing your insights. So many parents don’t realize what is going on until they are in the midst of it.