New Short Film Brings Opioid Users Face to Face With Those Who've Lost Loved Ones to Overdose

National Safety Council personalizes the worst drug crisis in recorded U.S. history

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Dec 05, 2017, 04:00 ET

ITASCA, Ill., Dec. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- One in four Americans has been directly impacted by the opioid crisis, but 40 percent still do not consider it to be a health and safety threat to their family, according to recent National Safety Council poll results. In an attempt to end this persistent indifference, the Council today released a powerful short film that brings opioid users face to face with those who have been personally impacted by the worst drug crisis in recorded U.S. history. The video, titled Facing an Everyday Killer, is part of the Council's Stop Everyday Killers campaign – a public awareness initiative to help educate about the risks of taking opioids and encourage people to explore other pain treatment options.

When a prescription cannot stop the pain

When addiction is hiding behind a medical mask

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8207151-national-safety-council-stop-everyday-killers-opioids/

Facing an Everyday Killer illustrates the potential for a well-intentioned opioid user to become a statistic – a trend that is much too common. Far too many opioid misuse disorders begin with valid prescriptions following an injury or surgery.

"The most important thing to know about this crisis is not the numbers and statistics, but the faces," said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "The data speak to our head but the individual stories speak to our hearts. The Facing an Everyday Killer video not only puts an image on the scope of the problem, but also encourages actions that will help us eliminate these preventable deaths."

Facing an Everyday Killer includes sweeping footage of the Council's Prescribed to Death Memorial that launched in Chicago on November 9 and drew hundreds of visitors who came to remember, learn and act. The Memorial includes a wall with 22,000 engraved pills, each carved with the image of someone who fatally overdosed last year. It will travel across the country, with a stop planned in Pittsburgh in late January.

The short film can be downloaded via YouTube, accessed at stopeverydaykillers.org and shared on social media using the hashtag #StopEverydayKillers.

About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council (nsc.org) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact.

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Contact: Maureen Vogel
Senior Manager, Public Relations
(630) 775-2307

SOURCE National Safety Council