Opioids and prescription safety
What are opioids?
Opioids are highly addictive narcotic substances. Opioids can be medications prescribed to treat pain or they can also be illicit (illegal) drugs like heroin.
Keeping our communities sacred and whole by promoting the responsible use of prescription medications.
Common prescription opioids
- Codeine
- Fentanyl (Actiq®, Duragesic®, Ventura®)
- Gabapentin (Neurontin ®)
- Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen (Lortab®, Vicodin®, Lorcet®, Norco®)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®, Exalgo®)
- Meperidine (Demerol®)
- Methadone (Dolphin®, Methadone®)
- Morphine (MS-Contin®, Duramorph®, DepoDur®, Astramorph®)
- Oxycodone (OxyContin®, Oxecta®, Roxicodone®)
- Acetaminophen (Percocet®, Endocet®, Roxicet®)
- Tramodal (ConZip®, Ultram®)
Why are opioids dangerous?
The long-term use of opioids and other drugs can lead to physical dependency, addiction, and potentially overdose. Over time our bodies build a tolerance for opioids meaning you need to use more to get the same effect.
How do opioids affect the brain?
Prescription opioids are as dangerous as heroin.
There are safer ways to manage pain with fewer risks and side effects than opioids.
Opioid safety
Unlike other prescriptions, you do not need to finish your opioid medications. You should only use them as prescribed by your health provider. Too many opioids in the body can cause a person to overdose.
Keep in the original container
Have all opioid prescriptions inside the original container with the child-resistant cap secured.
Store in a locked place
Keep opioids in a locked place out of reach from children, family, pets, and guests.
Take unused medications to a safe disposal box
Medication boxes are located across the state for safe disposal. Visit knowyourscript.org to find a box near you.
Use DisposeRX for leftover medications
DisposeRX packets are designed to safely dispose medications within 30 seconds.
Ways to safely manage pain
- Ibuprofen (Advil)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Naproxen (Aleve)
- Physical therapy
- Exercise
- Acupuncture/massage
- Intervention therapies (injections)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Learn more about opioids
The following images showcase all of IHFS opioid health education materials, including pamphlets, posters, and prescription safety cards.
Email Kassie John to request a sample or place an order for these materials.
Opioid resources for tribal public health authorities
Email Kassie John to order fentanyl testing strips, prescription safety cards, Dispose RX packets, and Naloxone kits.
Additional opioid resources
Indian Health Services (IHS) Opioid Use Disorder
ihs.gov/opioids/
National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
findtreatment.samhsa.gov/locator
Utah Department of Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health
sumh.utah.gov
Utah Crisis Line
988.utah.gov or call 988
Utah Naloxone
utahnaloxone.org
Schedule a naloxone training with IHFS
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