re: Is the Opoid "epidemic" real?

There is a fix here. Shut down the border. Execute the damn dealers like Trump says and close the pill mills.

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They didn't beg or plead or make up bullshite pain complaints to manipulate the doctors.

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Sure some folks were but other times Doctors were prescribing Opoids like they were chiclets.I was diagnosed with Shingles about 6 years ago and was prescribed Hydrodone with FOUR refills.I barely used my
1st and it only costs me a $10 copay.Same thing happened when I got a tooth pulled that year except it was for 2 refills...still didn'the need to take it for more than 3 or 4 days. I do believe they have since
changed the law on refills and you have to see your MD if you want to get refilled.

And for YEARS Congress and Pharma lobbyist let an almost unlimited supply of both Hydrodone and Oxycontin
flow through phony pharmacist and "pain clinics"

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In the midst of the worst drug epidemic in American history, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's ability to keep addictive opioids off U.S. streets was derailed -- that according to Joe Rannazzisi, one of the most important whistleblowers ever interviewed by 60 Minutes. Rannazzisi ran the DEA's Office of Diversion Control, the division that regulates and investigates the pharmaceutical industry. Now in a joint investigation by 60 Minutes and The Washington Post, Rannazzisi tells the inside story of how, he says, the opioid crisis was allowed to spread -- aided by Congress, lobbyists, and a drug distribution industry that shipped, almost unchecked, hundreds of millions of pills to rogue pharmacies and pain clinics providing the rocket fuel for a crisis that, over the last two decades, has claimed 200,000 lives.   

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That’s how socialized healthcare works folks! Picking who lives and who dies

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Actually, they chose something with deadly consequences for themselves. Let er rip...

That's fine. You don't have to have compassion for them. But you should consider the economic benefits of treatment.


rehabcenter.net:

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Time and time again evidence illustrates the vast importance of drug addiction treatment. In addition to assisting an individual in finding and learning methods to overcome their addiction and drug use, it helps to reduce the financial costs associated with the health, governmental, and social ramifications of this drug use.

NIDA shows us exactly how this investment can alleviate social financial burdens; they report that “according to several conservative estimates, every dollar invested in addiction treatment programs yields a return of between $4 and $7 in reduced drug-related crime, criminal justice costs, and theft. When savings related to healthcare are included, total savings can exceed costs by a ratio of 12 to 1.”

The rising price of incarcerating an individual due to a drug-related crime and the cost associated with providing social programs and welfare support to them and their families puts a vast stress on our country’s tax burden. NIDA speaks to this, saying that “the average cost for 1 full year of methadone maintenance treatment is approximately $4,700 per patient, whereas 1 full year of imprisonment costs approximately $24,000 per person.”

The earlier a person receives help, the better. The longer a person abuses drugs, the more damage the drugs exert on their body, thus the higher the possibility is that they will need some form of medical treatment. In addition to the health benefits, treatment has positive social implications, as well—helping a person to overcome their addiction may potentially keep them from situations and events that cam precipitate social and governmental expenses and issues.

As a person undergoes treatment they are taught vital skills and receive critical support that can help them learn to overcome their addiction and have a successful recovery, thus allowing them in many instances to successfully integrate back into their lives and responsibilities.

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here's another article for you

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This issue isn’t confined to scumbag criminals and junkies.

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It's like the OP has never heard of veterans. But I guess we just shouldn't have compassion for the people we send to fight and die for our country.

LINK:

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Prescription drug abuse is on the rise among veterans because many are treated with powerful narcotic pain medications for injuries. Over time, veterans can become dependent on these drugs and eventually an addiction can develop. Alcohol abuse and addiction is also more common among the military population while some other substances are used far less frequently and are far less of an issue.

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Just let all the ones that choose shitty lifestyles die. Looking at you gays.

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Is cancer real? Why not just let them die? Why waste all those resources on treatment? I had a chat with a guy in his 70s yesterday and he told me he has been taking care of his wife for 12 years. She now has full time care at home because he can't do it on his own anymore. I asked if it was Alzheimers or something. He said no, she hurt her back 20 years ago or so and the doctors had her on Oxy and fentanyl and other stuff over the years. He said it basically fried her brain. She hasn't been able to dress or bathe or feed herself in years. It was pretty heartbreaking to hear him tell the story. His eyes were misty as he recounted their life before the opioids and where he finds himself today. Not everyone suffering from the opioid "epidemic" is a junky on the street.

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The financial burden of any caregiver is often really significant. Not only will they have to spend more to take care of someone, but also be able to work fewer hours which can affect their income. It's weird how you don't have to look very far into this issue to see that opioid abuse (any drug abuse really) affects more than just the abuser.

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Congrats on the dumbest fricking post of the year bruh.

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I can’t believe I’m agreeing with you, Bamarep. I may disagree with you at 80% of the time, but you are not heartless when it comes to individuals.

Makes you wonder what kind of spotless lives some of these fricks pretend to have

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When these services are required we should also provide free vasectomies to male patients. 2 for 1 specials!

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Any ACA plan is supposed provide a vasectomy with no cost share (i.e. free).