NSC and Pacira BioSciences partner on employee-based program to reduce opioid use and misuse
Itasca, IL — The National Safety Council and Pacira BioSciences Inc., a provider of non-opioid pain management and regenerative health solutions, have announced the Connect2Prevent program, an employee-family educational program intended to increase awareness and prevention of opioid misuse.
NSC created a comprehensive curriculum designed to educate employees on the risks associated with opioids, as well as provide them with the tools to have meaningful discussions with younger family members. The curriculum includes lessons on opioids, misuse, stigma, risk factors for substance use, refusal skills, harm reduction, how to talk to doctors about opioid alternatives and more. These lessons provide easy-to-understand education, action steps and evidence-based tools to connect and communicate with teens.
“As an organization committed to eliminating the leading causes of preventable death, we recognize the opportunity education presents to curtail the tragic impact of opioid addiction and misuse,” said Jenny Burke, vice president of NSC’s impairment practice. “We are committed to saving lives by providing information and resources about the risks of opioids and opioid misuse to help employees and their loved ones have thoughtful conversations on this topic. Our partnership with Pacira is a significant step in the right direction toward supporting these efforts.”
Added Dave Stack, CEO and chairman of Pacira BioSciences: “Children who use prescription opioids before 12th grade have a 33% higher risk of opioid misuse as an adult. Education is a critical component in the fight against the opioid crisis, and raising awareness to the availability of non-opioid options to treat both acute and chronic pain is central to the Pacira mission to improve patient care.”
NSC plans to pilot the program this summer. Pilot participants will have the opportunity to review and provide feedback on the program before it’s launched publicly in 2023.