from American Society of Anesthesiologists
For years we have heard about the opioid
epidemic. Seldom has there been good
news. Until now. An annual survey of
about twenty-thousand Americans shows
a significant decline in year to year
prescription opioid use and abuse. Part of
that decline is because of fewer
prescriptions being issued. Back in 2007,
nearly five percent of people surveyed
said they had abused prescription pain
medications. In the most recent survey,
there was a twenty-six percent decline in
abuse. The statistics were presented to
the annual meeting of the American
Society of Anesthesiologists. Authors of
the study say while pain medications, such
as opioids, are important in the care of
patients, they have risks and can be highly
addictive.