Useful but deadly: Opioids are problematic drugs

Prescription opioid epidemic

Three Australians die each day from opioid-related drug use. Credit: Sydney Morning Herald

Health experts warn Australia is still poorly prepared in the face of a possible fentanyl epidemic like the one in America.


Some of the most commonly used opioids include codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and methadone.

Usually opioids are used to relieve pain, after acute trauma.

So if your leg is broken or potentially has serious surgery, this medication can also be used to treat some types of chronic pain, especially cancer-related pain.

It is usually found in tablet form, but some treatments are in liquid form.

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Useful but deadly: Opioids are problematic drugs | SBS Indonesian