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HEALTH • Winter 2018 13 O pioids are still regularly prescribed in hospitals because they're seen as the best way to quickly and effectively manage pain, despite the risks: Overdose deaths involv- ing prescription opioids were five times higher in 2016 than in 1999, according to a study published in March in the American Journal of Public Health. If it isn't the chance of patients becoming addicted to fentanyl or codeine, there's the risk that whatever opioid pills aren't used may fall into the wrong hands. "Unused opioid prescriptions in the community are a major issue," said Kavita Babu, who was appointed UMass Memorial Health Care's chief opioid officer in September. UMass has found a partial solution with an opioid disposal box that was set up in October at UMass Memorial Medical Center's University Campus. It works just like drug disposal boxes that can be found at pharmacies or police stations, and, in fact, could accept other types of drugs as well. The box was primarily the work of UMass surgeons Brett Baker and Richard Perugini, Babu said, and was funded by the Worcester Department of Public Health, Remillard Family Foundation and the Worcester District Medical Society. H PHYSICIANS Andrea Chiaramonte, MD, MPH Melinda Thacker, MD Johnathon Sillman, MD, FACS James Hughes, MD Cynthia Duhamel, PA-C Robert Moran, PA-C AUDIOLOGISTS Marla Allard, M.A., CCC-A Jane Ehnstrom, M.S., CCC-A Michelle Fleck, M.A., CCC-A Merrisa Murtha, AU.D., CCC-A • Adult and Pediatric patients welcome • Audiology and balance testing and medical treatment • Thyroid and parathyroid surgical evaluation and intervention • Sinus and nasal disease evaluated and treated • In Office surgery available if appropriate • All manner of Head and Neck masses and lesions evaluated and treated • Voice evaluation and treatment Professional Otolaryngology Specialty Care in a Kind and Compassionate Manner 100 Martin Luther King Junior Blvd. Worcester, MA 01608 Phone: 508-757-0330 • Fax: 508-752-9850 aohns.com Like us on { Local Innovation } Opioid Medication Disposal Box