Community Involvement Info

Most of us have been touched by this important subject – either personally or someone we know. Many ask, “What can I do to prevent this tragedy from happening to someone else?” If you would like to help us spread the word about the Zero Unintentional Deaths campaign and help us make a difference, we would like to hear from you. Fill out this form, and we’ll be in touch with you.
Name:
Phone:
Email:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
security code:
retype code:	required.
Please take a minute to tell us how you would like to be involved with the Zero Unintentional Deaths campaign. Let us know if you have any specific skills you may be able to contribute, if you have any suggestions to help us spread the word about the campaign, or if you have a story you would like to share with us.

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.