Pain Pill Overdoses Rise in Alaska

A recent study by the Department of Health and Social Services highlights a steady rise in hospitalization due to pain reliever overdose.

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by Whitney LB Miller

Story Created: Dec 6, 2012 at 11:16 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Dec 10, 2012 at 3:05 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - A recent study by the Department of Health and Social Services highlights a steady rise in hospitalization due to pain reliever overdose.

According to the study, 283 Alaskans have been hospitalized due to Opioid pain relievers between 2001 and 2010.

82 percent were due to suicide attempts and 14 percent were unintentional poisonings; most of which involved children under the age of 5.

Along with routinely educating adults about the safety of storing and disposing pain relievers, Officials suggest health care providers use patient agreements when prescribing pain medication.
 

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