ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN
The Zero Unintentional Deaths campaign was designed to educate doctors, chronic pain sufferers and communities across the country about the increasingly serious issue of unintentional overdose deaths from prescription medications, specifically methadone.  Most of these tragedies are preventable, and our goal is to find solutions to the problem without compromising access to pain therapy. 

We are currently working with the Utah Department of Health and the Utah Medical Association to find a way to study the problem of unintentional overdose deaths in Utah.  This campaign is currently being funded through a recently-established 501-(c)3 called LifeSource; this organization will dedicate its funding to researching this issue on a national level while educating patients, physicians and the public about the dangers of methadone and other pain medicines. 

Lynn R. Webster, M.D., is one of the country's leading experts in the field of pain medicine, specifically regarding the use and misuse of methadone.  A co-founder of this campaign, his expertise has contributed to national news stories addressing the dangers of methadone and other prescription painkillers including ABC News’ 20/20 program on Friday, September 22, 2006, Court TV’s Catherine Crier Live on Wednesday, September 27, 2006, and in the October 16, 2006 issue of People Magazine.   He has also been extensively interviewed for local newspapers, television, and radio news programs that have addressed the issue. 

Although funding for research will take time, we recognize the immediate need to get the information in the forefront nationwide.  Therefore we are taking the initiative and beginning to educate medical care providers about the appropriate use of opioids as part of pain management.  This campaign began in April, 2006, and will continue to reach out to communities and physicians in hopes of increasing awareness of the unintentional deaths resulting from methadone and other prescription painkillers.

Six Steps to Zero

1. Never take a prescription painkiller unless it is prescribed to you.
Everyone responds differently to pain medications. What is safe for one person may not be safe for another.

2. Do not take pain medicine with alcohol.
Never mix the two; it is a dangerous combi¬nation that can be deadly. Alcohol increases the toxicity of pain medication.

3. Do not take more doses than prescribed.
Even after the effects of pain medicine seem to have worn off, it is still depressing the respiratory system. Some medications like methadone may relieve pain for a few hours but will have a prolonged respiratory depressant effect. The body must develop a tolerance to the respiratory depressant effects before the dose can be increased.

4. Use of other sedative or anti-anxiety medications can be dangerous.
Combining pain medicines with other sedative drugs, such as valium, can increase the toxicity of the pain medication. Only take other medi¬cations, if directed by the prescribing doctor.

5. Avoid using narcotic medications to facilitate sleep.
Narcotic medications can suppress respiration during sleep. Speak to your physician about safe methods to manage pain during sleep.

6. Lock up prescription painkillers.
If consumed by children or other family members, or stolen and sold on the street, prescription pain medicine can kill.