“You Should Know” Risk and Prevention Guide Opiate Drug Abuse, Deaths Soar Along with Drug Company Profits Opioid abuse has killed 165,000 Americans since 1999, including legendary musician Prince. Learn more. In April, musician and icon Prince died in his home from an accidental overdose of the prescription opioid fentanyl. In September, U.S. soccer superstar Abby Wambach revealed her long struggle with substance abuse and prescription drug addiction after an arrest for driving under the influence. High-profile stories like these are waking up all Americans to an exploding public health crisis. Overdose deaths from prescription opiates have quadrupled since 1999, claiming the lives of an estimated 165,000 people. At the same time, sales of these prescription drugs have also quadrupled, generating record profits for drug companies. Wading through the dangers of addiction while also dealing with serious pain can be an overwhelming challenge. You should know how to protect yourself and your loved ones from those who may have profits – not your well-being – as their top priority. Investigate further here >>>

BY THE NUMBERS /

4x Increase Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids have quadrupled since 1999, killing 14,000 people in 2014 alone.  1,000 Per Day Every day, more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency rooms for misusing prescription opioids. Overdose rates were highest among people aged 25 to 54 years. $1.98 Billion Sales of opioids reached an estimated $1.98 billion in 2014. Meanwhile, drug companies spent $880 million nationwide since 2006 fighting restrictions on opioids.

BOOKMARK FAVORITES /

The Politics of Pain The heroin addiction that eventually killed Cameron Weiss started when the 18-year-old was prescribed painkillers for a wrestling injury. Jennifer Weiss-Burke, Cameron’s mother, is now hoping to change state laws and prevent tragedy for others. View video. Pain Pill Dangers: Dispelling the Myths Consumer Reports investigates the myths surrounding prescription opioids, including misinformation about the risk of addiction. View video. Obama Calls for More Recovery Services President Obama teams up with Grammy winner Macklemore to speak about opioid addiction and present solutions for those looking to curb this epidemic.   View video.