Blog
Tag:
-
CDC Guidelines Aim to Curb Rx Abuse
The release of the new "CDC Comprehensive Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain" is a solid first step addressing the opioid abuse epidemic we are facing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging primary care doctors to try physical therapy, exercise and over-the-counter pain medications before prescribing opioids for pain. These recommendations are in line with several experts who have participated in PDFNJ's Do No Harm symposium series. However, we know that these guidelines alone are not enough. Education is the key factor in preventing the abuse of opiates and it is vital that physicians inform patients of the potential for dependency when their medicine is prescribed, as well as discuss alternatives as outlined in the CDC guidelines. It is also important for patients, or the parents of patients, to ask their prescriber about the pain medicine they are prescribed.
-
The Surprising Path from Student Athlete to Heroin Addict [VIDEO]
As we are hearing all too often from parents, coaches, and police many of our children who are addicted to heroin were introduced to this disease as a result of receiving an opiate prescription for a sports injury. The following video and article quotes the director, David Gerber, of St. Christopher's Inn in Garrison, NY explaining how, "These medications mask the pain but do nothing to treat the injury, …so it often worsens the injury, making the need for more medications, and they become addicted." Please share this blog with other families because it's crucial that everyone is aware of the addictive qualities certain medications prescribed to their children for sports injuries that occur.
-
Governors from Maine to Alaska tackle National Heroin Epidemic
As the Heroin Epidemic continues to impact small towns, suburbs and cities throughout the country the National Governors Association has recently tackled the issue in this recent New York Times editorial. They are developing recommendations that include revised prescribing protocols and more active patient education. New Jersey's legislature has also been developing their own response that include a bill that would require doctors to have a conversation with parents of child prior to prescribing any opioids and also recommending alternative treatment options when they are available.
-
Some Health Professionals Starting to Change Prescribing Practices to Curb Abuse: Study
Over the last two years the Partnership has hosted with the support of the DEA-NJ, prevention organizations, and health care systems a series called “Do No Harm” that engaged doctors, dentists, prevention, treatment, and law enforcement representatives to explore ways each group can help to end the prescription drug and heroin epidemic in New Jersey. A recent study demonstrates how important the NJ “Do No Harm” symposium series truly is. In fact, “This research underscores the critical importance of engaging health care providers fully in public health efforts to reverse the course of the prescription drug epidemic,” the researchers wrote in the Pain Physician Journal.
-
This N.J. Teen Fought Heroin. His Doctors Knew. His Parents Didn't. [VIDEO]
The story of a young man who tragically succumbed to a heroin addiction has become all too common in New Jersey. In the story below, Justin Wolfe’s parents talk about their ignorance of his addiction. Parents must be given vital medical information about their children. When a child is given a prescription for a potentially addictive medicine, parents need to be aware so they can look for the signs and symptoms of abuse - and get the lifesaving treatment that child needs. The Wolfe’s are an example of a NJ family that turned their loss into a national and statewide effort to help others. Please read their compelling story.
-
Factors Predicting the Transition from Prescription Opioids to Heroin
The following study examines the movement from prescription drugs to heroin.
-
PDFNJ Ex. Dir Angelo M. Valente Testifies Before NJ Senate Committee About NJ’s Opioid Abuse Epidemic
I had the opportunity today to speak to the New Jersey Senate Health Committee as they examined the current status of the prescription drug and Heroin Epidemic in New Jersey. NJTV was one of several NJ new organization to cover the hearing.
-
Heroin Epidemic Knows No Boundaries
We have always understood that addiction knows no boundaries, and that knowledge and education are the keys to prevention. Everyone, no matter what your zip code, needs to be informed and engaged on the issues of substance abuse. A New Jersey bill that would have required doctors to inform patients of the addictive qualities of the opiates they are prescribing received almost unanimous support from the full NJ Senate, but was never heard in the Assembly Health Committee. As a result, the bill was never voted upon before last year’s session ended. This type of educational initiative is crucial to ending this epidemic.
-
PDFNJ Ex. Dir Angelo M. Valente Speaks to Comcast Newsmakers about the Epidemic of Rx and Heroin Abuse in the Garden State
PDFNJ is featured by Comcast Newsmakers for its effort to educate the public and the medical community on the epidemic of Rx and Heroin abuse in the Garden State. Please share this blog with your friends and family.
-
Dangerous Heroin Pills Could Have ‘severe consequences,’ Expert Says
We thought the PDFNJ blog subscribers would be interested in this recent story on NJ1015.com about a new form of heroin in pill form that is reaching the streets of New Jersey.