The Massachusetts Medical Society, which represents 25,000 physicians, published new guidelines to combat the state’s opioid epidemic.
The group announced a campaign including new guidelines for the prescribing of pain medication like percocet and vicodin.
One recommendation for doctors is to consider short-term, low-dosage prescriptions, and then follow up if the patient needs more.
"Hopefully by the time people will finish the medication they no longer need it, and there won't be excess amounts that are left on shelves that can be used for other things," said Dr. Henry Dorkin, vice president of the Mass Medical society.
The new guidelines also encourage doctors and patients to discuss family and personal histories of addiction before a prescription is written.
A Harvard School of Public Health study finds nearly four in 10 Massachusetts residents personally know someone who has abused prescription medicine.
