Read a recent Opinion article by Elaine and Steve Pozycki in the Star Ledger

Gov. Chris Christie’s use of the bully pulpit to shine a light on the epidemic of opiate addiction in our state has begun to generate a long overdue public conversation about the most effective ways to solve the problem. Certainly, expanding access to treatment as the Governor proposes is a key component of any comprehensive solution.

Read complete Opinion article here.

Read a recent Op-ed by Elaine and Steve Pozycki in NJ Spotlight:

Over the past two decades, the number of prescriptions for opiate-based painkillers has tripled, while dosages have grown stronger

The prime source for the national explosion of opiate addiction — whether in the form of painkillers such as OxyContin or in the form of illegal street drugs such as heroin — is the dramatic increase in the use of opiate-based prescription drugs. Over the past 20 years, there has been a threefold increase in the number of prescriptions issued for opiate-based painkillers, as well as a major step-up in dosage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Healthcare providers wrote 259 million prescriptions in 2012 alone. Further, it has been well-documented that some people when they can no longer get access to prescription painkillers feed their opiate addiction by turning to heroin.

Read complete Op-ed here.

From the NSC:

Today the National Safety Council released a white paper, Evidence for the efficacy of pain medications, compiling research showing the combination of over-the-counter pain medications ibuprofen and acetaminophen are more effective at treating acute pain than opioid painkillers. As patients find that they are unable to refill their hydrocodone prescription, this paper presents alternatives that should be discussed with their physician.

http://www.nsc.org/Pages/NSC-Over-the-counter-.aspx