THE National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) at Flinders University is today launching a new publication Responding To Pharmaceutical Opioid-Related Problems: A Resource for Prescribers.
The intention of the publication is to reduce the chance of Australia reaching the levels of prescribed opioid abuse that has spiralled in the US, where an estimated 1.7 million people suffer from disorders from prescribed opioids each year.
Between 2001 and 2012, rates of fentanyl, oxycodone, and methadone deaths in Australia all rose significantly, averaging increases of around 40%, 16% and 3% respectively.
NCETA Director Professor Ann Roche said, "Pharmaceutical opioids are very valuable medicines.
"However, Australia is currently experiencing a range of harms associated with their use", but we also need to support codeine-dependent individuals, he added.
The new guide is available in hard copy or soft: nceta.flinders.edu.au.
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