Where Have All The Drugs Gone?

Prescription drug abuse and diversion are the focus of national public attention. Opioids, benzodiazepines and stimulants are most commonly associated with abuse and diversion, however other medications may also be intentionally misused. These medications are frequently necessary to appropriately manage symptoms at the end of life. Legally and ethically, hospice and palliative care professionals have a responsibility to assist in addressing this national epidemic without compromising patient care.  A “Medication Abuse and Diversion Toolkit” can provide hospice and palliative care interdisciplinary team members with a framework for organizational policies and action plans to address these situations in a comprehensive fashion.  The toolkit and its application will be presented using case examples.

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