New CDC Vital Signs Report: Methadone contributed to 1 in 3 prescription painkiller deaths in 2009

Prescription painkiller overdoses were responsible for more than 15,500 deaths in 2009. While all prescription painkillers have contributed to an increase in overdose deaths over the last decade, methadone has played a central role in the epidemic. About 5,000 people die every year of overdoses related to methadone. Six times as many people died of methadone overdoses in 2009 than a decade before. Methadone has been used safely and effectively to treat addiction to heroine and prescription painkillers, but healthcare providers should prescribe methadone for pain only when other painkillers have not been effective. To learn more about the risks associated with methadone as a pain killer please see: http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/MethadoneOverdoses/index.html Modify/Update Subscriber Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Send Feedback  |  Learn more about CDC Email Updates To receive the latest news for your region, please update your profile with your country, state and zip code. Questions or problems? Please contact support@govdelivery.com. STAY CONNECTED:  CDC on Facebook  CDC on Twitter  CDC on YouTube         This email was sent to filter@clubhouseb.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · 1600 Clifton Rd · Atlanta, GA 30333 · 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)