Curbing opioid abuse
All opioids could be harmful, even lethal, at excessive doses. Credit score: Texas A&M Well being Science Middle Most individuals know that heroin is a harmful drug, however its cousins, the authorized, pharmaceutical opioids, resembling codeine or hydrocodone, have to be secure, proper? Not so quick. Opioids -- which embody the unlawful drug heroin in addition to prescription drugs, together with hydrocodone (resembling Vicodin), oxycodone (resembling OxyContin and Percocet), morphine and codeine -- could be harmful, even lethal, at excessive doses. "Opioid abuse is rising exponentially," mentioned Alva O. Ferdinand, Dr.PH, J.D., assistant professor on the Texas A&M Well being Science Middle Faculty of Public Well being. Charges of overdoses and deaths attributable to opioid abuse are alarming lawmakers and well being care suppliers in any respect ranges of presidency and well being care. "The issue is e...