Education World – Joel Stice
“The opioid crisis has a firm grip on the well-being of Americans and drug-related overdoses now account for the leading cause of death among adults under the age of 50. It’s a startling statistic and one that has sadly led to numerous headlines of parents overdosing with children present. Opioid abuse isn’t limited to adults of course and is a growing problem in schools, both in small towns and large cities all across the United States. The prescription drugs which fall under the opioid umbrella — hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone — generally lead abusers to turn to heroin once the prescription runs out. Going beyond the “Just Say No” campaign of the 1980s, educators and lawmakers are working to combat the growing use of these drugs at all age levels, from elementary up through college.”(more)