Prescription Drugs

The Prescription Drug Epidemic

The prescription drug epidemic is of great concern to people everywhere including employers.

On one hand, when the opioid medications are used appropriately as prescribed under a doctor's careful supervision, they can be highly effective in treating symptoms of disease, injury and surgery that allows people to maintain a normal life.

However, when abused, such as using more than prescribed, using them for something other than prescribed, using someone else's prescription or obtaining them illegally, people can quickly become addicted to the powerful drug.

The ease of obtaining drugs that look like the “real thing,” but in actuality are often dangerous imitations, can further encourage misuse.

Read more below.

  • Workplace Opioids & Substance Use

    The U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has published a comprehensive workplace toolkit for the prevention and response to opioids and substance use.

    Read More
  • Prescription Drugs

    Prescription drug abuse is when someone takes a medication intended for someone else or when someone uses a medication in a way not intended by the prescribing doctor - like…

    Read More
  • Heroin

    Heroin use in the United States is increasing at alarming rates. According to recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heroin use increased 63% between…

    Read More