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A comment on The news industry was complicit in the opioid crisis. Parent comment

Re:The news industry was complicit in the opioid crisis by Nasrudith on Tuesday September 24, 2019 @11:52AM (#21061471)
The thing is while a worryingly large minority of addicts used their prescribed medication first (including not taking as directed) the majority still used it illicitly either through street sources or stealing from those with legitimate needs.

There is still an obvious empathy gap and double standard.

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Re:The news industry was complicit in the opioid crisis by mieseratte on Tuesday September 24, 2019 @12:30PM (#21061906)
> There is still an obvious empathy gap and double standard.

Well, no, there isn't obviously one. You seem to be alluding the the crack epidemic and the Just Say No / DARE types.

No one was getting hooked on crack after being prescribed medicinal cocaine by their doctor.

It is an apples-to-oranges comparison.

A more apt one would be the methamphetamine epidemic that preceded the opi(ate|oid) epidemic. Plenty of moral panic in the news, precious few folks gave a damn about the redneck tweakers.

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Re:The news industry was complicit in the opioid crisis by scarface74 on Tuesday September 24, 2019 @12:51PM (#21062148)
The government was actively supporting drug cartels during the Cold War. They were looking the other way as it was bought into the US.

Even if opioids are prescribed legally at first - abusers are getting it illegally later.

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