Thousands in America have died due to overdosing on opiate painkillers. What are the main causes of the opioid epidemic and how do we ameliorate the problem?
Sources:
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/8/3/16079772/opioid-epidemic-drug-overdoses
One of the main causes of the opioid epidemic is overprescription. Due to insurance and healthcare regulations, doctors tend to prescribe opioids rather than turn to alternative treatments, such as physical therapy. In addition, there is a large stigma regarding the recovery and rehabilitation process for drug addicts.
Since you cite regulations as part of the overprescription problem, how should the DEA and FDA, the main drug enforcement agencies, respond to the opiate epidemic?
I don't think a response in that area will have much impact. There needs to be some corporate legislation first which installs better oversight of drug companies and limits their capacity for this kind of activity. For example, in the case of Zohydro, the review board needs to have the ability to litigate against the pharmaceutical company in order to add power to its recommendation.