re: US overdose deaths on track to hit an all-time high amid the 2020 pandemic

I'm pretty sure it's because so many states locked down on pain pills way too hard, and it drove people to heroin and other street opiates. People who just want to relieve their pain, are turning to illegal avenues and have no idea how to use heroin and the like.

Alabama for example locked down non-cancer pain patients to 40mg or Norco or less. When some people have been on 80-120mg a day for years. And that's a small dose for a long time user.

And yes, there are many, many, many people who actually need opiates, and that many of them, to function.

We threw the baby out with the bath water with opiates by over correcting. Now more people are dying because they can't get what they NEED, legally.

This is a very basic statement on the issue, it's way more complex and nuanced than people realize. Regardless, these people dying are more than likely not "dirty junkies" who deserve to die. You go to church with these people. Your 62 yr old pastor takes opiates every day to be able to stand up straight. Your coworker who works his arse off all day takes them so his job performance doesn't slip and he can maintain his lifestyle and income. The nice lady 2 doors down who push mows her grass every Saturday has to take percocet every day so she can get out of bed. I can go on and on. If they suddenly can't get their medicine, you just expect them to go through withdrawals(which is horrendous), and be in horrible pain? No, people get desperate and try to find a solution.