Original Source: safetyandhealthmagazine.comThe National Safety Council reported in January that, for the first time on record, the odds of dying from an unintentional opioid overdose in a given lifetime (1 in 96) are greater than the lifetime odds of dying in a motor vehicle-related crash (1 in 103).Although this may seem shocking, opioid overdoses have been at an epidemic level in the United States for years. In fact, drug poisoning now is the No. 1 cause of unintentional death. “Every day, more than 100 people die from opioid drugs – 37,814 people every year – and many of these overdoses are from prescription opioid medicine,” NSC states.
When used correctly, prescription medication is an essential part of an employee health care benefits package. However, NSC notes, opioid medications are powerful, highly addictive, and increase the risk of workplace incidents and...click here to continue reading
