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THE ABUSE OF OPIATES AS WELL AS OPIOIDS HAVE A DEVASTATING
IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH.
The most recent World Drug Report found that one in
20 adults (age 15–64)—roughly a quarter of a billion
people—had improperly used opioids or opiates during
the past year. The new series OPIATE AND OPIOIDS: THE
SILENT EPIDEMIC will provide young readers with a greater
understanding of this serious public health issue. Books in
this series will help readers gain a deeper understanding
of the issues and concerns related to opioid and opiate
development and use or abuse. A chronology,
glossary of terms, a guide to additional resources
for more information, text-dependent questions
and report ideas, and an index supplement the up-
to-date information provided within the books.
Set ISBN ..........978-1-4222-3822-6
Hardcover Set Price ...........$159.65
$119.75 (S&L)
Hardcover List Price ..............31.93
23.95 (S&L)
Multi-User eBook List Price ...39.93
29.95 (S&L)
Full color • Library bound
Trim Size: 7 x 9 • 64 pages
Grade Level: 7-12
HBK ISBN E-ISBN
Chronic Pain and Prescription Painkillers.............. -3823-3 -7963-2
Preventing and Treating Addiction ........................ -3826-4 -7966-3
The Dangers of Drug Abuse.................................. -3824-0 -7964-9
The Heroin Crisis........................................................ -3825-7 -7965-6
Who Is Using Opioids & Opiates?............................ -3827-1 -7967-0
5 VOLUME SET © 2018
DRUGS, FAMILY, HEALTH
OP I O I DS AND OP I AT E S :
T H E S I L EN T E P I D EM I C
Mason Crest
,
an Imprint of National Highlights
|
To l l -Fr e e 8 6 6 . 6 2 7 . 2 6 6 5
|
F a x 6 1 0 . 5 4 3 . 3 8 7 8
12
anti-inflammatories—
medications, like aspirin, that reduce signs of inflam-
mation—such as pain, swelling, and tenderness.
diversion—
when prescription drugs are unlawfully used or
obtained.Asin
“drug” diversion.
musculoskeletal injury—
disorders or injuries that affectmovement of the
human body.
paraphernalia—
equipment needed for a certain task or activity.
Words to Understand in This Chapter
Chronic_Pain.qxd 1/25/17 2:49 PM Page 38
4
Physician and Local
Enforcement
Challenge
T
he prescription opioid epidemic has far-reaching
effects, not only on a federal level but also on a state
or provincial level. As states, provinces, physicians
and local law enforcement look for ways to prevent prescrip-
tion abuse and overdose, they are finding that the issue is very
complex.
Physicians Struggle to Find Balance
Physicians are under intense pressure when it comes to pre-
scribing opioids for patients dealing with chronic pain. The
threat of legal sanctions, or penalties, continues to influence
physicians’ decision to prescribe (or to not prescribe) opioid
medications, and the dosage amount if prescribed.These sanc-
tions include the removal of a physician’s prescribing capabili-
39
Someunscrupulous doctors prescribe painkillerswithoutmedical
justification.These “pillmills”become away to enrich the doctor,
without regard for thosewhosehealth or livesmay suffer as a
consequence ofusing opioids.
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