Question

How can prescription of opioids be made less accessible?

Answer 1

Opiod usage is still a controversial subject. While it’s a drug for unending pains, the same time the overdose and abuse of it is a deadly epidemic.

It is not easy to ban the drug, as it’s medical use as high end analgesia is very big. And there are restrictions in getting the opiods from pharmacy. But the problem is that, if it is restricted, the people who are really in need of it also can not get it.

So what all can be done to decrease the accessability?

1. Reduce the prescription of opiods to the neediest patients only:

Federal law has regulated the opiod prescriptions by reducing the number of drugs which can be prescribed, discouraging clinicians from the wide prescription of opiods etc. The law even threatened to take away the medical licence if the prescription is not made restricted.

This had effect, as it reduced the abuse cases to a much lesser number, but again there were abuse happening.

• Opiods should not be prescribed to a patient with history of addiction.
• Opiods should not be the first line of pain management, use them as the last measure of pain management.
• Strict surveillance on opiod prescriptions and cases of overdose.

2. Easy Accessibility to addiction treatment :

The treatment for addiction and rehabilitation facilities must be easily accessible and available for all. This reduces the addiction getting progressed. Schools and colleges must have facilities to identify addictions and get any specialist help if needed.

In addition, proper education of the upcoming generation on the effects of addiction is highly necessary.

3. Stop the usage of dangerous opiods:

It may not be easy to ban opiods fully, but can regulate the prescription of highly dangerous drugs to zero. Provide a safe drug for the patients who needs continuous pain killer use. Eg: many countries prescribe Heroin and the outcomes are better, with reduced drug related crimes and improved social functioning and stable employment.

4. Dig the root causes of abuse/ addiction:

Social , environmental and psychological problems lead to abuse of drugs. The schools and colleges and most importantly, family must provide their children, a healthy environment to grow. The psychological and emotional well being is to be maintained. They must be knowing to celebrate victories and face failures in a healthy way.

The family or parents must be able to assess any changes in the child’s behavior. Schools and colleges must have regular counseling set up to assess each student’s mental health and their problems.

In case of the identification of any abuse, the cause also must be identified and treated along with the student.