You Have the Power to Prevent Opioid Misuse
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine, and many others.
Prescription opioids are one way to safely manage severe pain when taken as directed by a doctor.
However, misusing prescription opioids can put you at risk of addiction, overdose and death. Misuse means taking more medication than you were prescribed, taking it for non-medical use or taking someone else's medication.
Combining opioids with alcohol and other drugs, like sleeping pills or cough medication, increases the chance of an overdose. Xylazine, also known as “tranq” or “tranq dope,” may be combined with opioids, including fentanyl, which significantly increases the risk of a fatal overdose.



