Yes, this epidemic is new, but drug epidemics aren't. This one is likely more widespread because of widespread use.
But this is most pronounced in the US. Other countries with good-or-better access to healthcare don't have nearly the same problems as the US [1]. I think it lies more in the way we treat folks when they are sick: Turning to opiods instead of other drugs (a combination of ibuprofin and paracet/tylenol is a pretty standard pain treatment here). Not actually giving folks time off when they are sick and injured. Sure, you have the FMLA, but that doesn't exactly let folks pay their bills. We (the US) could also do things like talk to patients and/or their families about ways to handle the pain, what to do if the pain relief wears off, prescribe differently so that it isn't wearing off. We could make sure to have realistic conversations about addiction. And the drug companies could be upfront about this. Lastly, we could provide addiction help, treating it with time off in a manner similar to simply being sick.
[1]https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/03/15/ameri...
1. Crack has a lighter sentence than meth does despite meth being a "white" drug and crack being a "black" drug.
2. America has always casted failure as a moral failing. Its the basis of Calvinism. It has nothing to do with the war on drugs.
3. The epidemic is new. In the 40s, 50s, 60s, when healthcare was much worse, you didn't see this level of addiction to opiates. Easier access to opiates means better access to healthcare which is the problem.