More deaths from prescribed drugs than illegal highs.

A major initiative established to prevent opiod overdose and abuse.

It appears that in the US fatal overdoses of prescribed opiods has tripled between 1999 and 2006 nearly 14 thousand deaths yearly.  That is more the heroin and cocain deaths combined

In a report from Health Affairs ( August addition )describes a major initiative at Group Health to make opioid prescribing safer while improving care for patients with chronic pain. Health Affairs is the nation's premier health policy journal, and its August issue focuses on substance abuse.

In the first nine months of this initiative clinicians at the Seattle-based integrated health system developed and documented care plans for almost 6,000 patients—85 percent of those receiving long-term opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer pain.

Group Health's initiative was implemented well before the White House Office of Drug Control Policy, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Drug Enforcement Administration announced a national action plan in April 2011 to stem the epidemic of prescription drug abuse. Scientists from Group Health Research Institute are evaluating the initiative's effects on care, hoping Group Health's experience can help guide national efforts.

Use of prescription opioids has increased sharply since the 1980s. Excluding people with cancer and those in end-of-life care, about 4 percent of U.S. adults now use prescription opioids long term. Pharmaceutical industry advocacy and education have fueled increased opioid prescribing for chronic non-cancer pain—despite limited scientific evidence supporting the drugs' long-term effectiveness for chronic non-cancer pain.

What can I do about Jet Lag?

Here are some very simple things you can do from pre-flight to landing at your destination that can  minimize  the side effects of jet lag.

• It is best to select flights that will allow you an early evening arrival and stay up until 10 p.m. local time. If you have to take a nap during the day make in no more than 2 hours.
• Anticipate the time change for trips by getting up and going to bed earlier several days prior to an eastward trip and later for a westward trip.
• Once you are on the plane change time on your watch to your destinations time.
• No alcohol or caffeine at least 3 to 4 hours before bedtime. Both are stimulants and stop you from sleeping.
• When you get there don't have big meals.  Only a small snack.
• Try to avoid heavy exercise close to bedtime. Exercise earlier in the day instead.
• Earplugs and eyshades might help you get a good sleep
• Get out in the sun.  It will get your body clock back to normal.
• Food we eat has no bearing on the effects of Jet Lag