BOSTON – Worried someone you know is abusing prescription medications?

Stop Addiction In Its Tracks, a campaign "to prevent drug use before it begins," has been launched on the website of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. It features information for parents on the most commonly misused opioid drugs, ways to prevent their misuse, the warning signs someone is abusing them and what treatment is available.

"Education is an essential part of the cure for this epidemic, starting with parents and their children who are the most susceptible to not understanding the dangers associated with the misuse of prescription painkillers," said Baker in a release about the launch.

"This campaign is about keeping our children safe from the grip of opioid addiction by working to prevent drug use before it begins."

The campaign also includes public service announcements that will appear on television through July 31. The website includes videos featuring personal stories, like that of Harwich resident Janis McGrory who lost her 23-year-old daughter to a heroin overdose.. The site welcomes visitors with the advice:

If you're viewing this page, please know you are not alone. Opioid addiction is an epidemic that has spread across this state and throughout the nation. A recent report found that nearly 4 in 10 (39%) of residents in the Commonwealth know someone who has misused prescription painkillers in the past five years. When prescription opioids become unavailable, some turn to heroin. Addiction has torn apart far too many of our families and has killed far too many of our loved ones."

The campaign is an outgrowth of the Governor's Opioid Working Group that was formed to get public feedback on how to address the opioid drug abuse epidemic. The group, whose four sessions were attended by some 1,200 individuals, is scheduled to release its recommendations next week.

"We repeatedly heard from parents during the Working Group listening sessions and in focus groups that they wanted the facts. They wanted to know the harsh realities of opioid misuse and addiction and how they can spot the warning signs that their child may be in danger," said Dr. Monica Bharel, commissioner of the Department of Public Health, in the release. "The website provides straight-forward details along with personal stories from parents who have dealt first-hand with this tragedy."

There is also a help line, 1-800-327-5050, to call for further assistance. According to the release, the $800,000 cost of the campaign was funded through a federal grant.