Data Suggests We Still Have a Long Way To Go

A quick scan of this morning's news shows we have a long way to go in the fight against prescription opioid misuse and abuse.

From a survey conducted by the National Safety Council we learned that:

• Nine in 10 opioid painkiller users are not concerned about addiction as a side effect, though 60 percent of users have at least one addiction risk factor 
• 69 percent of opioid painkiller users feel opioids are the most effective medications to treat pain, though research shows this is not true
• Americans mistakenly believe gun violence, severe weather and commercial airline travel are more significant threats to their safety than opioid painkillers
• Many Americans do not realize they have taken opioids

And from a study entitled "Adherence to Prescription Opioid Monitoring Guidelines Among Residents and Attending Physicians in the Primary Care Setting" reported on by workcompcentral this morning, we learned that:

• 42.9% of the 1,285 patients on long term opioid therapy had signed a treatment agreement
• 62.8% of those patients had been subject to a urine drug test within the last year. 
• The study's lead author, Laila Khalid, told workcompcentral, "It should be 100% adherence."  

So once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.  Another week in the battle against prescription drug abuse.  Lots of work to do.  

Michael
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