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The opioid crisis has gotten much, much worse despite Congress’ efforts to stop it
(www.politico.com)
this post was submitted on 23 Oct 2023
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Doctors prescribing painkillers is exactly how this got so bad. As someone who came of age in the mid '00s and watch this all start unfolding firsthand in many of my peers, 100% of them began their addiction using prescription painkillers like Vicodin, Percs, and Oxy. Literally all of us knew someone selling them, family members who had extra and would give them out, friends/coworkers who'd share with you, etc because they were so easy to get a (or multiple) prescriptions for and you could sell the rest.
I know personally at least half a dozen people who wound up ODing and dying. I know at least two dozen more who battled through it, did jail, did rehab, lost jobs, or became homeless. Many made it through and stopped using, but now 5, 10, or 15 years later still have the cloud hanging over them and have to actively manage the cravings.
If you're a 'legit patient' and you turn to heroin just because you can't get painkillers, you're already addicted to opioids. That's not driving the issue, it is the issue.