Background / Mission
BACKGROUND:
LifeSource is a non-profit organization established in 2006 to fund healthcare-related projects. One of the biggest health care problems in this country today is prescription drug addiction and overdose deaths. It is the goal of the LifeSource organization to address this problem honestly and to find solutions in the healthcare field to improve quality of life.
In January 2005, Dr. Lynn R. Webster read a headline in The Sal Lake Tribune that stated Utah had an epidemic of overdose deaths from prescription drugs. As creator and president of the Utah Academy of Pain Medicine, Dr. Webster knew that if this was true he and other physicians in the field of pain medicine had to take the lead. He met with the Utah Department of Health Medical Examiner quoted in the newspaper article, and Dr. Webster was convinced there was a real problem with prescription medications and overdose deaths. He knew something needed to be done, or pain specialists would not be able to treat patients who need prescription medications as they may be removed from the market.
Dr. Webster spent a great deal of time trying to understand the depth of the problem and why it was occurring and co-founded LifeSource the following year to continue to work and find solutions. In April 2006, the "Zero Unintentional Deaths" campaign was started to eliminate the harm and unintended deaths associated with prescription pain relievers. Since then, a group of experts in the field has come together as a think tank with Dr. Webster and LifeSource to help design studies that will help answer the necessary questions to honestly address the epidemic of overdose deaths from prescription drugs.
In summer 2009, Dr. Webster and LifeSource hosted a conference in Salt Lake City during which experts from all over the country examined overdose death data with the intent to publish their findings in an article. The resulting information became the content for a special medical supplement of Pain Medicine, the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine. That supplement was released in June 2011.
“We know there is a problem. What we don’t know is exactly how to solve the problem,” says Dr. Webster. “We need more research to understand where we can introduce new types of treatments or where treatments should not be offered to help mitigate the harm. There is no general approach. At LifeSource, a group of experts has come together to conduct good, honest academic work to find solutions to improve a better quality of life and take the next step to answer the necessary questions as to why prescription drug addiction and overdose deaths are occurring at alarming rates.”
The goal at LifeSource is to expand current thinking and address the problem of drug
addiction and abuse honestly. Dr. Webster and LifeSource have presented over a decade of expert research and study to policymakers in Washington. A lot of work has been done and some significant steps forward have been made in Dr. Webster’s home state of Utah, but more research and projects are necessary to address the root causes of this complex issue. There is not one solution. Please support LifeSource to aid in this endeavor.
MISSION:
To educate physicians, chronic pain sufferers, and all communities about the increasingly serious issue of unintentional overdose deaths from prescription medications; to create an emphasis on educating physicians of appropriate methods in prescribing opioid (narcotic) medications; to conduct the necessary research to find solutions to the problem without compromising access to pain therapy by limiting the availability of these powerful and necessary medications; and to ultimately reach the goal of Zero Unintentional Deaths.
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Media Coverage
April 9, 2012
Filling In the Gaps on Pain Prescriptions: Filling In The Gaps On Pain Prescriptions Read More
April 5, 2012
Opioid Rotation Practices Linked to Fatalities: Opioid Rotation Practices Linked to Fatalities Read More
April 3, 2012
Switching Opioids Increases Risk of Overdose Death, Study Says : Switching Opioids Increases Risk of Overdose Death, Study Says Read More
April 2, 2012
Changing Opioids Causing More Overdose Deaths : Changing Opioids Causing More Overdose Deaths Read More
April 1, 2012
Doctors kill thousands due to 'death tables,' Utah expert says in new study : Reference tool responsible in death toll from prescription painkillers Read More
April 1, 2012
Opiate conversion charts killing patients : Opiate conversion charts killing patients Read More
March 8, 2012
What Whitney Houston Teaches Us: Whitney Houston has died from an as-yet unknown cause, but prescription medications are rumored. Her struggles with substance abuse are well documented, because she honestly shared them with the public in hopes of finding her road back. Celebrity deaths bring to our attention the national public health crisis with prescription drugs, and the list is growing: Health Ledger, Anna Nicole Smith, Corey Haim, Mike Starr. These people are not apart from or above us but hold a mirror up to our own lives. Most healthcare practitioners and counselors know a client, a friend or even a family member who has met the same tragic fate. Read More
March 2, 2012
LifeSource Co-Founder Lynn R. Webster, M.D. Receives Inaugural AAPM Presidential Excellence Award for Education: The American Academy of Pain Medicine initiates award to honor Dr. Webster’s work on the AAPM Safe Opioid Prescribing Initiative. Read More
January 12, 2012
The Chronic Pain Problem : Millions of Americans are affected by debilitating chronic pain, and diagnosis and treatment remain a challenge. Read More
November 2, 2011
Study shows Utah a leading state in painkiller deaths : A new study shows that painkiller abuse has not only reached epidemic levels in the United States, but overdose deaths continue a disturbing rise. Read More
November 1, 2011
Prescription Painkiller Overdoses in the US: Overdose deaths from prescription
painkillers have skyrocketed
during the past decade. Read More
September 14, 2011
Family: Player died from methadone overdose: Family members say a North Carolina high school quarterback died after a big victory last month after accidentally overdosing on some of his grandmother’s pain medication. Read More
August 26, 2011
Dr. Webster Pain Med Safety Interview: Host: Dr. Brian Grieves
Radio station # (715) 524-2194
About: Dr. Brian Grieves is a radio show host at WTCH-AM, an affiliation WOTE-AM, both radio stations at Wisconsin. Every Saturday he gives his professional advice on "Health Talk" to his avid listeners in Shawano. Prior to working as a chiropractor, Grieves earned his Bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin, a doctorate degree from Northwestern College, and his Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts. Read More
June 30, 2011
Dramatic increase of prescription-drug abusers seeking treatment: Dr. Webster joins
KCPP to discuss trends in prescription drug abuse. Read More
June 23, 2011
'Rapid detox' a quick fix for opiate addiction?: USA Today Read More
June 15, 2011
LIFESOURCE ANNOUNCES NEW STUDY FINDINGS AVAILABLE ON DEATHS RELATED TO PRESCRIPTION OPIOD THERAPY: Nonprofit organization strives to address one of the nation’s biggest healthcare problems Read More
April 27, 2011
American Pain Foundation Announces New NSAID and Acetaminophen Pain Medication Safety Module and Public Service Announcement for PainSAFE Read More
April 20, 2011
U.S. Aims to Reduce Overdose Deaths, But Will the New Plan Work?: U.S. Aims to Reduce Overdose Deaths, But Will the New Plan Work?
By MAIA SZALAVITZ Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Obama administration announced on Tuesday a new initiative to reduce prescription painkiller Read More
April 19, 2011
Striving Toward Quality Pain Management: The epidemic of untreated chronic or recurrent pain has lasted for decades, yet millions of people are still not adequately treated. One significant barrier to effective pain management is that clinicians and patients are often reluctant to talk about pain... Read More
April 11, 2011
National Prescription Drug Abuse Expert From Utah To Present At Public Town Hall Meeting In Reading: Medical experts and law enforcement provide insights on adolescent prescription drug addiction Read More
March 22, 2011
National Prescription Drug Abuse Experts To Meet With White House Policy Makers: Experts will address prescription pain medication misuse and accidental overdose deaths with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Read More
March 10, 2011
National Prescription Drug Abuse and Overdose Deaths Expert Addresses Healthcare Professionals In Houston: Lynn R Webster, M.D. Read More
February 12, 2011
For Some Troops, Powerful Drug Cocktails Have Deadly Results: February 12, 2011
This article was reported by James Dao, Benedict Carey and Dan Frosch and written by Mr. Dao.
In his last months alive, Senior Airman Anthony Mena rarely left home without a backpac Read More
February 5, 2011
There are ways to help, prevent prescription drug abuse:
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Recently The Charleston Gazette ran a series on the emerging epidemic of prescription drug abuse. In a state with the highest rate of drug-related deaths, highlighting prescription drug abuse is an important public Read More
January 24, 2011
Morphine/Oxycodone Combination Superior to Separate Components: Montreal Read More
January 20, 2011
I Am An Addict:
Millions of older Americans are making this confession. Families are being torn apart. The good news: There's help Clean and sober for more than five years, Ron Dash has rebuilt his marriage and his life. “When I saw what Read More
January 10, 2011
Patients suffer when doctors are too scared to prescribe pain pills : Patients suffer when doctors are too scared to prescribe pain pills
Monday, January 10, 2011; 8:36 PM
Every American should be concerned about the kind of message sent by the Jan. 2 front-page article "Doctors who pre Read More
December 15, 2010
Chronic pain patients, providers get new website:
Kathy Hahn Read More
December 9, 2010
Should an Overdose Antidote Be Made More Accessible?:
I've been writing about naloxone — the antidote to overdose of heroin, oxycodone or similar drugs — for more than 10 years, most recently for TIME here. The dru Read More
November 9, 2010
Addiction to painkillers hobbles more patients : ST. LOUIS — Nichole Marie Case unwittingly became dependent on opioid painkiller drugs. She's not alone.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimated in 2008 that 1.85 million people in the United Stat Read More
October 25, 2010
Opioid safety is focus of $1 million-a-year educational initiative :
Opioid safety is focus of $1 million-a-year educational initiative
Industry-supported PainSAFE targets how physicians and patients can avoid abuses and misuses of pain treatments.
A group that represents patients living with pai Read More
February 11, 2010
The Effect of Academic Detailing on Curbing Opioid-Related Deaths in Utah
February 11, 2010
Root Cause Analysis for Unintentional Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids in Chronic Pain Patients Reveals Disproportionate Methadone Involvement
February 11, 2010
Costs of Oral Pain Medications Pre-IT Pump Implantation Compared to Post-IT Pump Implantation: A Retrospective Analysis
February 11, 2010
Select Medical-Legal Reviews of Unintentional Overdose Deaths
February 11, 2010
Comparison Of The Theoretical Cost Of Morphine And Prialt
November 18, 2009
To Help Healing, Doctors Pay More Attention to Pain. Morning Edition. National Public Radio.: The old notion that pain is somehow "good" for you should be put to rest for good, say health officials. They are increasingly recognizing that control of pain leads to more rapid recovery for hospitalized patients, and can even cut costs. Read More
November 28, 2006
National Expert from Utah Spearheads Educational Campaign: FDA Issues Methadone Warning: Providing Safe Access to Pain Medications.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – November 28, 2006 – The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning yesterday to healthcare profe Read More
October 24, 2006
Prescription Medication Deaths Are On The Rise: Six Steps You Should Know: National Expert Calls for "Zero Unintentional Deaths" with Brigham City Physicians
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – National pain medicine expert Dr. Lynn R. Webster will present his education campaign entitled Read More
October 18, 2006
Local Pain Medicine Specialist Calls for Zero Unintentional Deaths: National Education Campaign Comes to Brigham City Community Physicians.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – October 18, 2006 – Dr. Lynn R. Webster, President of the Utah Academy of Pain Medicine and Medical Directo Read More
October 18, 2006
National Expert Calls for Zero Unintentional Deaths: National Expert Calls for "Zero Unintentional Deaths" with Hawaiian Physicians
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – National pain medicine expert Dr. Lynn R. Webster will present his education campaign entitled “Zero Unintentional Overdose D Read More
September 27, 2006
Methadone Related Deaths On The Rise : Six Steps You Should Know
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Dr. Lynn R. Webster, President of the Utah Academy of Pain Medicine and Medical Director of Lifetree Clinical Research® & Pain Clinic in Salt Lake City, announces six steps to avoid acci Read More
September 20, 2006
Local Pain Medicine Specialist Calls for Zero Unintentional Deaths: Statewide Education Campaign Goes National
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Dr. Lynn R. Webster, President of the Utah Academy of Pain Medicine and Medical Director of Lifetree Clinical Research® & Pain Clinic in Salt Lake City, announced that h Read More
September 18, 2006
Local Pain Medicine Specialist Calls For Zero Unitentional Deaths: National Education Campaign Comes to St. George Community
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Dr. Lynn R. Webster, President of the Utah Academy of Pain Medicine and Medical Director of Lifetree Clinical Research® & Pain Clinic in Salt Lake City, a Read More
June 8, 2006
Dr. Lynn R Webster Kicks Off Statewide Education Campaign: LOCAL PAIN MEDICINE SPECIALIST CALLS FOR ZERO UNINTENTIONAL DEATHS
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Dr. Lynn R. Webster, President of the Utah Academy of Pain Medicine and Medical Director of Lifetree Clinical Research® &a Read More
