Your Comprehensive Guide to the Opioid Epidemic — and What You Can Do About It

Key takeaways

There’s a lot of information provided in the e-book and throughout this site. Keep these key points in mind.

• Prevention begins with having on-going conversations about the risks of substance use, especially opioids (i.e., prescription pain medications like Percocet® and Vicodin®, as well as heroin).


• Seek non-opioid alternatives to manage your child’s pain from any injuries, dental work or other situations requiring pain management.


• Monitor, secure and properly dispose of any prescription pain medications in your home. It may be tempting to keep some "just in case," but the safer option is to dispose of all expired or unused medication. Family and friends are the primary source of misused prescription medicine.


• Know the signs of opioid misuse such as pinpoint pupils, fatigue, weight loss, drug paraphernalia, wearing long sleeves, etc.


• If your child is misusing opioids, get an evaluation to determine your treatment options. Comprehensive, evidence-based treatment works — the earlier you intervene and take action, the better.


• Get and know how to use naloxone in case of overdose.


• Practice self-care, which may include your own counseling and attending a support group. You are your child's best advocate and your resiliency matters.