There is concern about the rapidly growing problem of fatal and non-fatal overdoses involving prescription opioid painkillers (such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and methadone). Middle-aged (ages 35-54) men are at the highest risk. PIRE, working with the North Carolina Department of Public Health, is seeking effective, relevant public health education, social marketing, and other types of interventions that could reach our primary target group and help them recognize and avoid the risks of overdose from prescription opioid painkillers.

They are looking for:
Relevant national, state, or local campaigns targeting middle-aged (ages 35-54) men and also previous efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality from pain pills (narcotic/opioid poisoning) among any population.

Please send your materials (focus group summaries, survey findings, scholarly articles, and/or published literature) to Monique Sheppard at sheppard@pire.org. These materials are being compiled by the NC DPH Poison Workgroup to achieve the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality from pain pills (narcotic/opioid poisoning), particularly among middle-aged men. For more information about the Poison Workgroup, please e-mail sheppard@pire.org.