Government, health and media partners unveiled a new public information campaign Wednesday on the risks and side effects of opioid addiction. Speaking at the launch of the 鈥淜now the Risks鈥� campaign, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish says too many people don鈥檛 understand that prescriptions can lead to opioid addiction.
鈥淲e want to put an emphasis on helping people understand the risks involved with opioid prescriptions. I mean people think often when you have a prescription, there鈥檚 no problem. That is not the case. Not enough people are making that connection to the chain reaction that prescription opioids can cause鈥�
In 2016, there were more than 600 opioid-related deaths in Cuyahoga County. This year, that number is projected be as high as 850.
ideastream is one of the media partners participating in this initiative.