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 drug has no effect on people who are not physically dependent on opioids, but it can reverse an overdose almost instantly.
Think Pulp Fiction — the scene in which John Travolta frantically revives a heroin-stricken Uma Thurman by plunging a needle in her chest. (In the film, however, he actually used the wrong drug, injected in the wrong place.) (More on Time.com: Addiction Files: Recovering From Drug Addiction, Without Abstinence)
Lazarus-like reawakening scenes have played out thousands of times in the real world, and there are now pilot projects and research studies in at least 17 U.S. states that distribute naloxone to illicit drug users, pain patients who take prescriptions painkillers, and their caregivers.
The results of these programs have been overwhelmingly positive: access to naloxone typically reduces rates of death from overdose, and there's no evidence to suggest that making naloxone available increases drug use or encourages reckless use of higher doses.
Massachusetts is the latest state to see a positive change after introducing a naloxone distribution program. As WBUR recently reported, for the first time in 15 years, the state experienced a decline in opioid overdose deaths — and the drop was greatest in cities where friends and family members were provided naloxone and trained to use it. The absolute number of overdose deaths in the state dropped by 43 between 2007 and 2008, a 7% decline. (More on Time.com: http://healthland.time.com/2010/12/09/should-an-overdose-antidote-be-made-more-accessible/?xid=healthland-daily
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Media Coverage
November 16, 2012
Physicians take lead role in confronting opioid misuse, but still face hurdles: This is the second in a series exploring the intersections between effectively caring for people living with chronic pain and the rise in unintentional poisoning deaths due to prescription painkillers. (The first post is here.) The series will explore the science and policy of balancing the need for treatment as well as the need to prevent abuse and diversion. This week’s story looks at clinical efforts to reduce the risk of opioid abuse and overdose while still caring for patients; the next story will explore the role of public health officials in curbing opioid abuse. Read More
November 14, 2012
AMA webinar spells out 8 ways physicians can curb opioid misuse: The Association holds the first in a series of webinars to teach doctors more about appropriate pain management. Read More
September 17, 2012
FDA Warns of Serious Skin Burns from Topical Pain Relievers: FDA Warns of Serious Skin Burns from Topical Pain Relievers Read More
July 3, 2012
Methadone deaths may have peaked, feds say: CDC » Doctors are more cautious about prescribing methadone for pain because of federal, state warnings. Read More
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
