Painkiller deaths drop for the first time this century

Deaths from prescription painkillers are down for the first time this century. But at the same time, heroin overdose deaths are surging.

Many doctors and drug counselors are saying the two trends are related, crediting a drug monitoring program. This program is in 48 out of 50 states and makes it harder for a drug abuser to get prescription painkillers from more than one doctor.

Missouri is one of the two states that does not have this program.

But this isn’t the only factor that decreasing painkiller use.

Heather Harlan, an Intervention Specialist at Phoenix Health Programs, listed several reasons.

“Word has gotten out that they’re dangerous and can be lethal. People are more aware, doctors are more cautious, and patients are disposing of them,” Harlan said.

Those factors plus the monitoring program seem to have drug abusers choosing to get their high in an easier way.

“The effects of heroin are similar because they’re both opiate based. Heroin is less expensive, it’s easier to get, and it’s more potent,” Harlan said.

And the statistics support the theory the two trends are related, with a 35% increase in heroin overdose deaths just from 2011 to 2012.

“They may get one dose and one level and think they’re getting the same next time but the next dose is much more powerful,” Harlan explained.

Since Missouri does not have this monitoring program, Harlan said she still sees plenty of both painkiller and heroin abuse at Phoenix.

It’s not clear if Missouri will get the drug monitoring program any time soon.