Unintentional drug overdoses are one of the fastest-rising causes of death, occurring mostly among adults ages 25 to 44. Each year, an estimated 25,000 deaths occur from unintentional overdoses of over-the-counter, prescription and illegal drugs. A majority of these deaths are from the misuse of prescription drugs, including oxycodone, methadone and hydrocodone.
NSC offered the following poison prevention tips for adults and children:
- Always follow the recommended dosage prescribed by your doctor.
- Tell all doctors about medications prescribed by other doctors.
- Don’t share medications.
- Use child-resistant caps to protect children.
- Dispose of any unused or expired medications.
NSC has additional downloadable materials to help stop prescription drug overdoses, including posters, tip sheets and more. For more information, visit http://nsc.org/nsm.