Preventing medication harm in Traralgon

In Latrobe alone, 49 people died due to an overdose involving prescription medications between 2009 and 2015. The new reality is that locally, about 98 percent of all overdose deaths (50) involve prescription medications.

We’re inviting the general public to come along to this community event and to get useful tools and information about managing health problems to do with using some pain and sedative medications.

You’ll have the chance to:

• hear from Rustie Lassam about her 30+ year journey to recovery from prescription medication dependence

• watch a short documentary about the upcoming implementation of Victoria’s real-time prescription monitoring system, SafeScript, and

• speak with and hear from local health professionals about avoiding health problems associated with some pain and sedative medications

We know regional areas have been the hardest hit by the current opioid crisis and we all know someone who is struggling with their medication use. This is a chance to find out and discuss what we can do to address it.

More information

ScriptWise is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing harms related to prescription medication through raising awareness, engagement and advocacy.

Our One Too Many initiative has been launched in support of the Victorian government's implementation of its real-time prescription monitoring system, SafeScript. The initiative is dedicated to:

• Raising awareness about the risks associated with long-term use of prescription medications such as opioids

• Ensuring Victorians understand the role and importance of SafeScript in saving lives across the State

• Promoting preventative strategies and activities within communities

To find out more about SafeScript visit: https://www.safescript.vic.gov.au/

To find out more about One Too Many visit: www.scriptwise.org.au/one-too-many