Overdoses from prescription pain medications

Deaths from prescription pain medication in Washington seem to be

leveling off. According to the Washington State Department of Health,

after an eightfold increase the prior decade, the overdose rate in

Washington has declined by 29 percent between 2008-2013. There were 381

prescription drug overdoses reported in 2013 which is down by seven from

2012. The number of heroin overdose deaths is also leveling off, down

to 227 in 2013 from 231 in 2012.

Most prescription pain medication contains drugs known as opiates or

opioids. These powerful drugs are potentially addictive. The

Washington Departme...