Methadone, a synthetic opioid historically used to treat heroin addiction, is also prescribed for chronic, noncancer pain. While methadone accounts for just 2 percent of opioid pain reliever prescriptions, it is responsible for nearly one-third of all overdose deaths.
On Nov. 17, the National Conference of State Legislators hosted a webinar featuring Cynthia Reilly, director of The Pew Charitable Trust’s prescription drug abuse project, who discussed policy options for reducing risk when methadone is used as a pain reliever.