opiate addiction

had passed. jeff: one factor looked at is toxicology were drugs were in his system. kristine lazar shows is that perception painkiller addiction is reaching epic proportions. ♪ ♪ ♪

even if his death had nothing to do with the drugs that are in discussion, the fact that we have further discussion will hopefully save lives. reporter: this doctor says that the attention that prince brought to the prescription opioids is long overdue.

it comes with this incredibly dangerous price. reporter: he explains that opioids suppress a part of the brain that tells us to breathe and the drugs also have ace sedating effect. when people take too much they fall asleep and never realize

that they stop breathing. these steps should not be combined with other drugs. reporter: that is why in 2014 pharmacist all over los angeles now sell this to save lives. he says that someone who has had an overdose will wake up, but it will have no effect on someone

who has not taken opiates. but it still comes with a serious risk. yet to get them up to them within a couple of minutes. otherwise their heart or brain is damaged. reporter: that is what he believes in education on this is

so important. the burden is not theirs alone. we don't want doctors to write in refill prescriptions