National Safety Dose Day 2023: National Safety Dose Day is annually celebrated on May 15. It seeks to emphasise the importance of taking prescription medications responsibly in order to prevent health risks such as addiction and death. About 20% of those who visit their doctor for pain-relieving medication are prescribed an opioid or narcotic. Unfortunately, prescriptions for narcotics are excessive. Doctor-prescribed opioids lead to addiction or progression to more hazardous substances such as heroin. Poisoning from opioids has surpassed automobile accidents as the leading cause of accidental mortality in the United States. From 1999 to 2019, nearly half a million persons died from opioid overdoses.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL SAFETY DOSE DAY
Opiates, which are derived from the poppy plant, have existed for thousands of years. The recreational use of opium in early 19th-century Britain was at an all-time high. Codeine and morphine are examples of opium-derived substances. Morphine, named after Morpheus, the Greek deity of dreams, is an extremely potent analgesic that is also highly addictive. Opioids are frequently prescribed for moderate to severe pain because they block pain signals between the brain and the body. Additionally, it can improve your mood and physical health. Because of this, individuals are prone to develop an addiction to it. Many believe that narcotics are the best way to treat pain, but ibuprofen and naproxen are equally effective and nonaddictive alternatives. Not only do they abuse prescription medications, but they also obtain painkillers from acquaintances and family. In the United States, sharing prescription drugs is prohibited, but many people are unaware of this fact.
Other adverse effects of analgesics include constipation, drowsiness, nausea, slowed respiration, and confusion. Long-term use of opioid analgesics in high quantities can lead not only to drug addiction but also to drug poisoning. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, there were 4,3 million nonmedical painkiller consumers in 2014. Nearly two million people had medication dependency disorders.
In addition to painkillers like morphine, codeine, OxyContin, and Vicodin, there are numerous other commonly abused substances. Also abused are sedatives and tranquillizers prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders. This list also contains ADHD medications like Adderall, Dexedrine, and Ritalin. Regardless of your malady, it is essential to adhere to your doctor’s medication recommendations.
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HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL SAFETY DOSE DAY
Organise your medication cabinet
Perform an inventory of your medicine cabinet or first aid supplies. Replace outdated prescriptions with current versions. Examine the expiration dates and dispose of expired medications.
Buy a medication organiser
Invest in a pill case with multiple compartments if you struggle to remember to take your daily medication. You can store your medication doses in one convenient location.
Develop a wholesome pill routine.
Consult your physician to determine what multivitamin or dietary supplement you can take to enhance your health and well-being. Form a regimen of taking it and ensure that you are taking the prescribed amount.
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5 DISADVANTAGES OF PAINKILLERS
They are ineffective against chronic pain.
Opioid medications are effective for short-term usage, such as post-surgery pain management.
Dangers of an expired prescription or medication
If you previously took a high dose of pills, halted, and then decided to take the same dose again, you could accidentally overdose on your medication.
Alcohol and medications are a lethal mixture.
Both can induce drowsiness and impede you twice as much.
They can be habit-forming.
Numerous individuals become dependent on prescription painkillers despite the medications’ mental and physical side effects.
Short-acting medication is safer
There is no evidence that long-acting drugs are less addictive, but even at recommended doses, they are more likely to cause an overdose.
WHY NATIONAL SAFETY DOSE DAY IS IMPORTANT
It encourages us to be observant.
Nowadays, there’s a medication for nearly everything. To be safe, we must remember not to abuse these medications and to heed to our doctors.
It can help disrupt bad routines
If you are the type to retain and use old prescriptions, or even worse, if you have a tendency to take pills from family or friends, today is the day to change your ways. Start breaking your bad behaviours today.
It raises consciousness
It is possible for people to be addicted to medications without realising it. This day serves as a reminder of the negative effects of prescription drug abuse and misuse.
NATIONAL SAFETY DOSE DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 15 | Monday |
| 2024 | May 15 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | May 15 | Thursday |
| 2026 | May 15 | Friday |
| 2027 | May 15 | Saturday |
