Could you elaborate on the "whether opioids are the cause" part?

Huge amount of the opioid crisis is due to unintended overdose from fentanyl in the drug supply that was not meant to be there. Lots of people accidentally dying because their cocaine, xanax, or other pills have too much fentanyl.

https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/o...

If it is opioids and it was not intentional, then it was reckless behavior. To me it seems as if we are trying to preemptively blame the substances for what is the user's fault. I can already see the headlines and pushing the war on drugs even more.

What do you think is ought to be done, if anything? I am leaning towards education, harm reduction policies, etc.

Decriminalisation or legalization would mean no fentanyl in the heroin supply and therefore many fewer unnecessary deaths.

Not just decriminaliation/legalization. Would also need a pretty decent amount of regulation to ensure dealers aren't serving impure products. Cutting with fentanyl is done as a cost saving technique. Due to it's potency at low doses, dealers can get away with selling less product for the same cost since users will get just as high.

For sure. My definition of legalisation also includes policing people who sell one thing and call it something else. Just like with regular goods.

Yeah, I am all up for decriminalization/legalization. My issue lies with people who has not given up on prohibition after it repeatedly has been proven to be a failure. :)