Today's drug epidemic is in your medicine cabinet

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Mar 19, 2014, 11:00 ET

ITASCA, Ill., March 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nearly nine in every 10 poisoning deaths are caused by drugs, most of which are legal. In fact, opioid prescription painkiller overdoses are now a leading cause of death for Americans ages 26-54. The National Safety Council details the scope of this surging epidemic in its Prescription Nation infographic.

Overdoses from opioid prescription painkillers kill 45 people every day - more than heroin and cocaine overdoses combined. Prescription painkillers are highly addictive, and these addictions often begin with a valid prescription. However, doctors sometimes prescribe more than patients need. Enough painkillers were prescribed in 2010 to medicate every American around the clock for one month. Visit nsc.org/rxnation for more information. (PRNewsFoto/National Safety Council) (PRNewsFoto/NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL)

The mission of the National Safety Council is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. (PRNewsFoto/National Safety Council) (PRNewsFoto/National Safety Council)

Nearly 70 percent of new prescription painkiller abusers get the drugs from friends or family members. This means the drugs are likely stored in the home, where poisonings were the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths for people ages 15-64. Visit nsc.org/rxnation to learn more about prescription painkiller abuse and what can be done to save lives.

About the National Safety Council
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities.

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SOURCE National Safety Council