Delighted to see Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group tackle the issue of excessive painkiller use with a campaign to raise awareness of this potentially deadly dependency.

The North East is currently the highest prescribing area in the country and Sunderland is the second highest prescriber in England for tramadol and codeine.

The new campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers and effects of high-dose, long-term painkiller usage to help patients using medication feel empowered to seek support.