Introduction Unintentional poisoning is now the leading cause of injury death in the United States affecting those age 15-64 (CDC WISQARS, 2014). Unintentional poisoning includes all drug overdoses; however, of particular concern currently in the United States is prescription opioid overdose. Opioids are a class of drug that are designed to relieve pain. Prescription opioids include brands such as Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet, Duragesic, Demerol, and Dilaudid, amongst others. Illicit opioids include heroin and any prescription opioids that are not taken as prescribed. Because opioids work by affecting the brain receptors directly, a person can form tolerance and become physically dependent on them. Opioids are highly addictive and dangerous
…show more content…
A family history of substance abuse and poor family attachments are also risk factors for substance abuse in adolescents. Within the school and community, there are factors that put an adolescent more at risk for abusing drugs. These include accessibility of substances, poor school performance, having drug-abusing peers, and social norms that favor substance abuse (HHS, 2016). The individual protective factors for adolescents provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services include physical activity, high self esteem, anti-drug attitudes, and positive coping skills. Social and environmental protective factors for adolescents include supportive relationships at school and at home, social norms that are disapproving of substance abuse, and physical and psychological safety (HHS, …show more content…
This method could decrease unintentional medication diversion as well as reduce the number of prescriptions that are being disposed unsafely and ending up in our water systems (MI Task Force, 2015).
Recommended Enforcement Prevention Strategies Prescription opioids are controlled substances; thus, they are distributed in a strongly regulated environment and can only be prescribed by licensed practitioners (MI Task Force, 2015). However, there is a significant lack of education and policy reform to ensure appropriate prescribing practices, and opioids are still far overprescribed. Over 650,000 opioid prescriptions are dispense daily in the United States, and at the same time 3,900 people begin using prescriptions drugs non-medically (HHS, 2016). Recommended prevention strategies in enforcement involve controlling prescribing practices. It is recommended that Michigan increase the number of practitioners who specialize in addiction prevention and treatment. It is also suggested that pain management practice be defined in legislation and that Michigan practitioners be trained along such guidelines to ensure proper prescribing practices (MI Task Force,
A family history of substance abuse and poor family attachments are also risk factors for substance abuse in adolescents. Within the school and community, there are factors that put an adolescent more at risk for abusing drugs. These include accessibility of substances, poor school performance, having drug-abusing peers, and social norms that favor substance abuse (HHS, 2016). The individual protective factors for adolescents provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services include physical activity, high self esteem, anti-drug attitudes, and positive coping skills. Social and environmental protective factors for adolescents include supportive relationships at school and at home, social norms that are disapproving of substance abuse, and physical and psychological safety (HHS, …show more content…
This method could decrease unintentional medication diversion as well as reduce the number of prescriptions that are being disposed unsafely and ending up in our water systems (MI Task Force, 2015).
Recommended Enforcement Prevention Strategies Prescription opioids are controlled substances; thus, they are distributed in a strongly regulated environment and can only be prescribed by licensed practitioners (MI Task Force, 2015). However, there is a significant lack of education and policy reform to ensure appropriate prescribing practices, and opioids are still far overprescribed. Over 650,000 opioid prescriptions are dispense daily in the United States, and at the same time 3,900 people begin using prescriptions drugs non-medically (HHS, 2016). Recommended prevention strategies in enforcement involve controlling prescribing practices. It is recommended that Michigan increase the number of practitioners who specialize in addiction prevention and treatment. It is also suggested that pain management practice be defined in legislation and that Michigan practitioners be trained along such guidelines to ensure proper prescribing practices (MI Task Force,