With a 10-day supply of opioids, 1 in 5 become long-term users

Re:With a 10-day supply of opioids, 1 in 5 become long-term ... by brianwawok on Sunday March 19, 2017 @10:34AM (#13907288)

Perhaps, perhaps not. It depends where you stand on the war on drugs.

It seems fairly common that professional working people get on an opioid for something (say a fall), and then become addicted. These people can live for years on the Opioid, perhaps working a professional job. Now sure, if you ban opioid they could go and buy some black tar heroine and meth... but I am doubtful 100% of people would make that jump.

Alcohol is a different beast. Obviously some people become addicted, let's call it 10%. But 10% addiction rate is a lot lower than a 99% addiction rate that long term opioid use has.

So the net benefit of less opioids is almost certainty going to be less people addicted to drugs.

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Re:With a 10-day supply of opioids, 1 in 5 become long-term ... by mannykannot on Sunday March 19, 2017 @12:29PM (#13908029)

The response of abusers to the reduction of everyone's access to medication does not depend on where you stand on the war on drugs; it is, or will be, a matter of fact. Maybe more evidence is needed, but pseudo-quantitative arguments with made-up statistics that support your view on the war on drugs are not evidence.

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Re:With a 10-day supply of opioids, 1 in 5 become long-term ... by brianwawok on Sunday March 19, 2017 @12:57PM (#13908211)

    The response of abusers to the reduction of everyone's 
    access to medication does not depend on where you 
    stand on the war on drugs; it is, or will be, a matter of fact.

Sure. But your willingness to WANT this outcome will depend on your stance on the war of drugs. A blanket ban of all opioids with a harsh prison sentence (say, crack-cocaine level) would both decrease opioid addiction, and increase prison population. Your stance on the war of drugs will point to if you think this is a good trade off or not.

    Maybe more evidence is needed, but pseudo-quantitative
    arguments with made-up statistics that support your 
    view on the war on drugs are not evidence.

My view on the war of drugs has little to this argument. However as mentioned above, your feelings on it may influence how you feel about the broader opioid epidemic and how you want to react to it.

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Re:With a 10-day supply of opioids, 1 in 5 become long-term ... by mannykannot on Sunday March 19, 2017 @01:10PM (#13908295)

I would recommend an approach that is more evidence-based.

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Re:With a 10-day supply of opioids, 1 in 5 become long-term ... by GordonS on Sunday March 19, 2017 @12:57PM (#13908213)

99% addiction rate? Source please.

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