Journal of addiction medicine
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Nonmedical use of prescription drugs and poisoning overdose deaths related to prescription drugs are increasing. This article presents an in-depth description of decedents from rural southwestern Virginia, where methadone was identified on toxicology. ⋯ Cases where methadone was identified on toxicology increased significantly over the time studied. Efforts to prevent these deaths include the use of State Prescription Monitoring Programs, Universal Precautions, and Guidelines from the Federation of State Medical Boards.