Nationwide and locally, marked attention is given to the “opiate challenge,” which is a serious public health problem, an epidemic. With regard to seniors, concerns focus on (1) high rates of narcotic analgesic use, (2) cautious approaches to pain management, and (3) storage and disposal of these drugs (e.g. preventing medications from being taken by other people). Costs associated with opioid misuse and addiction are high at the personal, community and national levels.

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