The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Launches Awareness Campaign To Prevent Prescription Drug Overdoses

The Department of Health has announced the kickoff of an educational campaign aimed at preventing “unintentional prescription drug overdoses” around the state. The initiative, includes the development of regional coalitions, radio and TV ads, and employer and high school outreach efforts, among others. Officials report that “unintentional drug poisoning” became the leading cause of injury death in Ohio in 2007, and the problem grew 350% from 1999 to 2008. The campaign will have a special focus in five counties where the state has tracked “rapidly increasing” drug use and abuse incidents: Adams, Cuyahoga, Jackson, Ross and Vinton. County coalitions formed to get the word out include: local health departments, law enforcement, coroners, substance abuse treatment facilities, pharmacists, health-care providers, school systems and representatives from area elder-care agencies. More information on the campaign is available on the agency’s Prescription for Prevention website.