■ Consider non-medical interventions including the tried-and-true RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method.
■ Try physical therapy, massage, acupuncture or meditation as alternatives to pain medication.
■ In the event of an injury, ask your treating physician whether other medical interventions might be effective, such as nerve blockers or high-dose anti-inflammatory drugs.
■ When medicating, try lower-level interventions first. Studies show that alternating doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be as effective, if not more, than opiates.
■ If a dentist or doctor is writing a prescription for 15 or 30 opiates, ask if the number can be smaller.
■ If you have a large quantity prescribed, ask your pharmacist for a partial fill. This means, if you need more, you can go back to the pharmacy to get more, but you won’t have excess pills around the house.
■ Lock all medicines. Websites such as LockMed and Pill Pod sell a variety of locking cases so families can find the option that works best for their needs.
■ Never let your teens self-administer opiates, no matter how responsible they are. “It is never appropriate that a child or young teen or even an older teenager manages their pain pills alone at home,” said Greenfield Dr. Ruth Potee in a video titled “Athletes, Opioids & Addiction.”
■ If you have excess opiate medication, or any medication not being used, drop it off in a prescription drug drop box found at most police stations. In addition, there will be local participation in the national Drug Take Back Day on Oct. 27, 10-2 p.m. at locations around Hampshire and Franklin counties. For more information, visit northwesternda.org
To view “Athletes, Opioids & Addiction,” visit: vimeo.com/176348153
For free copies of the state Department of Public Health publication “Preventing Prescription Opioid Misuse Among Student Athletes,” visit massclearinghouse.ehs.state.ma.us/category/ALCH.html
Also on the Mass Clearinghouse site (which provides its materials at no cost) you can also find a helpful guide for speaking to teens titled “To help protect your kids, talk to them about opioids. Stop addiction before it starts.”